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| World Who's Who In Jazz,... Is Not Unti-European by Ilil Arbel An interesting article regarding the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment, with which I am associated, was posted on Sunday, May 20 and was brought to my attention. The erudite article, written by Professor Evelyne Gambier, combines constructive criticism and inquiry, both of which I would like to answer in the same spirit of good will presented by Professor Gambier. First, I would like to thank the professor for her comments about the quality of the work. I am delighted to know that she already bought several volumes, and plans to continue collecting future volumes for her valuable classroom work. Nothing could be more pleasing, since it proves that she has a high opinion of the work. Professor Gambier calls the books "well researched and extremely useful" and is kind enough to add that "the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment is a global and serious publication on world entertainment and Jazz." Another glowing description she writes is "my intention is not to criticize the formidable quality of the Who's Who. On the contrary, I do convey my admiration for the upstanding accomplishment." We are delighted with her good opinion! However, the professor expresses some doubts, which I would very much like to address, and I feel that her letter gives me an opportunity to tell the world of plans to come. First, Professor Gambier feels that the book is too strong on American Jazz, and does not give enough space to the world class Jazz that exists today, something like the way Americans label Baseball and Football events as world championship, while only Americans compete. Let me stress that we are an international team. The author, the legendary Maximillian de Lafayette, is French, to begin with. The rest of us come from Paris, London, Montreal, and Tel-Aviv, in addition to New York. We more than realize and respect Jazz from Europe, Australia, South America, Cuba, etc. We see it as a universal expression and have no intention of favouring Americans at all – as a matter of fact we have contacted many Europeans – but let's face it, we are only working on Volume Five! This work, which will encompass at least twenty volumes, will cover the entire world. In addition, there is a work in progress of a mammoth one-volume World Who's Who that will be made of four thousand pages, and an international encyclopaedia is also in the works. In addition, we don't have only Americans on our covers. On Volume One, we had the Canadian diva, Carol Welsman. On the cover of Volume Two, we had three stars. Miss Marlene Ver Planck, who is American, Miss Randa Ghossoub, who is Lebanese, Miss Erica Luckett, who is a Mexican, Brazilian-born, international singer. On volume Four, one of our stars is Barb Jungr, who is the first lady of Jazz in England. Candidates and most favoured for the upcoming Volume Five include a Jamaican singer, a German saxophonist, and a French Jazz singer. The other concern Professor Gambier expresses is that this work is for "Ivy League singers and musicians" only. Not at all. In each volume we had many listings of new and emerging artists, and one of Mr. de Lafayette's missions, which he states in every introduction and many of his articles, is to bring those hard working, serious artists into the limelight. In addition, we are contacting teachers, professors, trainers and studios as well, since teaching is as important as performing. The last concern the professor expresses is the question why FAMSTRA does not open its doors to non American artists. FAMSTRA is not affiliated with us, it is an independent organization. Our connection is based only on the fact that they were interested in publishing our books. I feel that the concern is valid, though, and I would suggest that any European artist who is interested, should contact FAMSTRA directly and offer to join. The Federation's website is www.federationofamericanmusicianssingersandperformingartists.org I hope I have addressed all the issues as clearly as possible, and I would welcome any reader's comments and suggestions. Let the conversations begin – the more contact between authors, publishers, editors, teachers and artists, the better, and yes, let's keep this conversation on an international level. What could be more valuable to all of us? write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |