Granddaughter Strikes Back

by Bob Powers

G21 Music Writer

To read this article in Deutsch, Francaise, Italiano, Portuguese, Espanol, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, copy and paste the complete URL ("http://www.g21.net/ps125.html") and enter it in the box after you click through.

Bob Powers

MARIETTA, OH, USA - Last week I wrote about the Powers family and my grandkids' preferences in music. There are no jazz fans amongst the bunch, but I always hope to convert at least one or two before their tastes become set in concrete .

This week I received an e-mail from our 16-year-old granddaughter Emily Elliott, who let me know a thing or three. Here's what she had to say:

"I just read your most recent article on Powerssound. I enjoyed it, although I have to admit that I was a bit offended by your suggestion of your grandchildren (the girls) being into Nosing and the Backstreet Boys and various other boy bands. I speak only for myself and some of my friends that not all teens are into the 'Teeny Bopper' type of songs. I do not enjoy Nosing or Britney Spears. Those are the type of people who are only into publicity and record sales.

"I enjoy a little bit of every kind of music. I love punk rock of the '80s, the Woodstock era, hip-hop, and country. I enjoy the songs as long as they have a good beat and good lyrics, which I find a lot of today's groups don't have. I feel the best groups write their own songs and have a passion for their music. That's why I don't like people, mainly adults, to categorize 'teen music.'

I believe that most of the great artists are not of my time but of my older sisters, mothers, or even grandparents. Those are the singers/songwriters who had the true love of music in mind when singing. Now music groups are into music for the money or the fame. When you mention groups that teenagers like, why don't you list Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Guns 'n Roses, Janis Joplin, Tom Petty, Van Morrison, Joe Cocker or Buffalo Springfield, to name just a few. These are my favorites! So maybe we should name them as playing teeny bop music.

I just wanted to get across my point that the women of this family, or at least me, care about the artists and their music. Music does not come with an age limit. No matter how old and what gender you are, anyone can enjoy any type of music.

I don't mean to be a critic, but I guess it runs in the family.

Love,
Em

Brubeck Staying Busy at 81

Dave Brubeck will forever be remembered as being one of the most popular jazz artists of our time. Despite having reached his 81st year, the pianist who made "Take Five" the most popular jazz tune in the past half century continues to tour some six months yearly. May you keep going forever, Dave!

Brubeck is father to the Brubeck Institute of Jazz Studies at the University of the Pacific in the San Francisco area on the West Coast. Brubeck's intent is the keep jazz alive far into the future. The university serves as a home for his extensive jazz collection, measuring more than 300 linear feet. It contains published and unpublished compositions, original manuscripts and various other forms of memorabilia.

Christian McBride, whose bass playing has excited jazz fans for years, is artistic director. Internationally known jazz performers will serve one-week residencies and work with students, who will become ambassadors for jazz.

Two Jazz Greats Die

Norman Granz, who organized the "Jazz at the Philharmonic" tours that took America's folk music around the world, died last week. Born in 1918, Granz received the title of the most involved non-musician ever associated with jazz.

All Music Guide's entry for Granz discusses his love for free-wheeling jam sessions, which ended up on records that entertained millions. Granz was instrumental in fighting racism during the '40s and '50s, getting hotels and theaters to accommodate black jazz players. That fact alone should win him enduring appreciation.

Granz created record labels including Clef in 1946, Norgran in 1953 and the still thriving Verve label, which Granz put together to feature records by Ella Fitzgerald. When the business slowed down in the '50s, Granz became manager for Oscar Peterson and Fitzgerald. In the '70s, he returned to the recording business by establishing Pablo Records.

Fans of the Johnny Carson version of NBC's "Tonight Show" may remember the trumpet player who got most of the solos on jazz charts. The band, led by Doc Severinsen, was for years one of the great joys in jazz. And Conte Candoli was often the target of all that excitement.

Candoli, 74, died of cancer Dec. 14 at a convalescent home in Palm Desert, Calif. He will be missed.

According to the obituary published by the Los Angeles Times, Conte Candoli and his older brother Pete grew up in a house filled with music and musical instruments. Candoli's blowing was often compared with the styles of Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Clifford Brown.

During World War II, Candoli was only 16 when he was hired by Woody Herman to play with The Herd while Candoli was on summer vacation. He got a good recommendation from brother Pete, already a member of the Herman band.

The Times said Candoli told the story that he informed Herman that he could barely read music. Herman said, "I know that, kid, but I could care less. I want you with the band and you'll learn how to read in a few weeks."

"Boy was he right," Candoli said. Herman insisted that Candoli finish high school, and when he did, Herman hired him.

One More Thing

The year 2001 has been for me a time of many downs and only a few ups. So I'm looking forward to the New Year in hopes that the fates will find another victim. I've done my share for a while.

For you faithful readers, and you know who you are, thanks for sticking by me. May everything you desire come true in 2002.

+++ The Previous POWERSSOUND +++ THE NEXT POWERSSOUND +++