The Jazzcat

If you are here in LA then you are, or should be, familiar with the latest jazz magazine “All About Jazz”. Fred Jung who is the editor has done a great job with the magazine.

When I was laid off from KKJZ, there was an editor’s note that gave me thanks for all of my great four years of service on the overnight shift at the jazz station. Pretty much, he is the only one who seemed to acknowledge that. Fred and of course Maggie Lepique, who had me co-host a show with her over at KPFK. I give much thanks to Mark Maxwell for letting me sit in with Maggie. His show is also the bomb!

I was interviewed by one of the writers for AAJ for an article on Jazz Radio in LA. Of course I was happy to give my impression of the state of affairs of jazz on the radio.

I was very honest and told it like it is. However, what you don't you get from the article is the extreme amount of passion and respect that I have for the music. It is all about jazz and the love for the music that keeps me going. That kept me up all night long playing great music for the public. When you read the article, remember that!

George, who interviewed me over the phone, seems like a nice guy. I wanted to give him everything he needed to write a great article. The way he phrased my quotes displays me as someone who is disgruntled. I am not a disgruntled employee. My main concern is for the music and my passion for it. I mentioned in that article that I only made so much money.  The examples I gave him were to describe how we as artist suffer for our art and not  as direct quotes. He used most of the comments in a negative manor and not enough emphasis on my passion for the music.

I do agree with him about the state of jazz radio in this town.The whole article speaks with jazz professionals who do not like what is going on at KKJZ. I don't like it either and I do agree with the article as a whole, I just think that I come off not looking like the classy guy that I am.

I have spoken with Fred Jung the editor and he is going to allow me to write an article for the March issue of “All About Jazz”. It will mostly be on my love for the music and the poor hands that the jazz station is in. Then you will understand my point of view as told from me. I will also post the unedited version here on the Jazzcat page.

I did my absolute best every night to try to add some enthusiasm, creativity and balls to play what no one else would to make KKJZ a great station. I know I represented straight ahead jazz. The musicians and the public knew it as well. I did my best to stand out from the sad reputation of the station, and I did. My absences from the air is not a reflection of me or my programming at all. That is all well documented in the playlist. The playlist speak for themselves. If you go to the KKJZ website and look at any of my playlist, before August 22, you will know who was playing the real deal and who wasn't. You can make your own choice.

I represent straight ahead jazz, the players and the people who love the music and KKJZ was my avenue to share that with you!

Here is the rebuttal

Much Love

LD

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