(I have taken the liberty of editing some of these emails to remove comments that were not either pertinent to the subject or were of a personal nature H.G.)
Hi Hal,I wrote you several months ago about your quintet and how much I enjoyed listening to you and Jerry together. A few days ago I read your writings onthe current state of jazz. It was both sad and sobering.
I am a local jazz musician here in the L.A. area, and I lead an all
originals straight ahead quintet. We have a couple of CDs, one distributed nationally. I work full time as a musician at Disneyland because with a wife and two young kids, I have to do what I have to do. I try to keep thequintet working as much as I possibly can, but it's tough when your not a name player. I work hard to try to become one, but as you pointed out, the apprenticeship process has all but ended.
I have always enjoyed your work and have seen you as often as I could. As a fan of jazz and music in general, may I plead for you to NOT GIVE UP. I know that the record companies are more interested in money and not music but for the people who know, guys like you, Keith, Jerry, Bob Berg, Dave Kikowski, Dave Liebman and the rest, you are the ones I have learned the most from. Yes, I've studied the other generations before you, but you and the rest of your generations are the ones that I watched live and drewinspiration from.
I know my days of really making it in the jazz community are numbered, but I'm still going to work hard to get there and I'll still look to your generation for guidance... I guess I always will.I guess I'm being selfish when I ask you not to give up. I'm sorry if I am, please forgive me for it. I'm just waiting for the next sound to hear from you. Please tell me it will be soon.
With all respect and sincerity,
...Edmund Velasco
Oh man ... this article is so depressing but so true...As a student in sound engeneering and music lover i was very interested in your article... I recently read an article of john zorn in a french mag and he was bittered like you are... and also one of Meshell Ndégéocello... exactly the same message... only Bill Laswell keep positive...
I know it‘s hard but do you think there is a light somewhere.. maybe a different way of selling records???
thanx...
...Simon (Belgium)
Well Hal...I read your article with fervor about your disgust with the industry....and musicians being able to make a living or not being able to cut it after a life's work.We're all in the same boat! Unfortunately, people don't know what the hell is going on!
I took the liberty of sending your great article to all my musician friends here in Atlanta that are fine musicians..
I met you way back when(IAJE) several Januarys ago.
........I most certainly appreciate your efforts over the years. Hope to hear more of you in the future!
A fan.......for sure.
thanks
...Frank Carter
Hal,I just read your article on the "Birdlives" site, a friend of mine emailed me. I couldn't agree more with you and had to send this along. You probably don't remember, but your trio played at my school (in Arizona), Mesa Community College a few years ago. It was amazing. Cat's are still talking about it.
You've been a hero of mine for years, I love your playing, and always wanted to "hit" with you....
...Your comments about young cats getting high profile record deals is right on the mark. Sometimes I'll venture out and try somebodies new CD, some young cat. I listen to 2 tunes, take it off, and say "this cat can't play yet".
Downbeat's jazz album of the year (I can't mention names man), I bought it to check it out - nothing original, a copy of Dave Douglas' playuing and writing unbelievable. I'd never release a CD like that. Hell I'm getting more pissed as I write this.
Anyway, the main reason for me sending this to you is to let you know I really dig your playing, your improv. clinic here was great. I've always been a fan, the side you did with Teramasa Hino killed me (I play trumpet).
Hope you are doing ok.
...Fred Forney
Greetings Hal ,I couldn't agree more with your comments on the state of corporate jazz/labels, magazines etc. Also no jazz education.
Although I have now here near the credentials you have I find myself and local[Montreal} players of my age group[I'm turning 50] in the same relative situation. When I was young and trying to learn to play guys of my age went to the few local clubs that featured jazz nightly and met and eventually worked for the older cats [many were guys from the US who came up after WW2 and settled here. Some grew up with Sonny Rollins ,Fats Navarro, the Heath brothers etc ., and although they didn't attain fame and leader status in the jazz world they did have considerable expertise and were very generous in sharing with and encouraging young cats in Canada.
.....I've been a great admirer of your playing since the stuff with Chet on through yr modal stuff with the Breckers and your return to standards etc. Would have loved to have heard you with Steve Grossman back when he was playing so strong.
Hang in there man you are a great artist
...Greg
PS and thanks for the terrific articles online
Say it ain't soI don't disagree with anything you have to say but I hope the trio lives at some point. You and Jeff have a telepathic thing going. I've sort of thrown the towel a little myself as since I can't book my six piece in a club I'm mostly doing casuals. Please take care.
...Rick (this is a response to the Bird Lives thing )
Hal,The following article by you was just sent to me and is making it around
on the web...
I have always liked your playing. When I was able to speak with you in Berkeley (1980's at UC Berkeley) years ago you were very nice to me. Also, I sat right behind you at Catalina's in L.A. when you were there with Phil Woods. Can't argue your opinions because I look upon you with great respect.
The first paragraph is rather typical behavior now because (yes, you are frustrated).....
..This problem effects EVERYONE.
...The days of Louis Armstrong have been gone for a long time. Sucks but we have to do the best we can. I wish we had some "mentoring programs" that you speak of but have been long gone. I am not sure I ever saw that myself (I am coming up on 40).
I hope you continue to play for all of us that hold the art of your work to the highest level. It may seem lonely but we regularly invoke your name as well as others in the education process of youger students. I am not sure if all of my kids will become jazz players, that is an unrealistic view. What I damn well hope is that what we teach them is that music is art and there are levels of accomplishment and depth to art (calling Madonna an ARTIST is a crock of shit, by the way). After we demonstrate and explain the art in music they can make better consumer choices when purchasing music for themselves and not allow the Hal Galper's of the world to be eliminated from the CD shops and Amazon.com.
All the best, please hang in there....
...Jack Cooper
Hi HalI read your RIP article on the Pariah website. WOW...I am still rather misty eyed. As you may know I have writen you before, and I am a 43 year old guitar player that has been trying to be a jazzer for a while now having spent most of my life plying honky tonks and dives. When I read your article all the feelings I have been hiding within myself for quite a while just swamped me.....
...Thanks for making me think
all the best
...Pat
Hal,A friend of mine sent this to me a few days ago, and, needless to say, I am saddened by what happened to you and by your downheartedness. I certainly understand because, like you, many of us are fighting an uphill battle to keep our artistic endeavors alive. And, while we will never achieve the recognition or financial remuneration that other artists will achieve because of possibly age or racial issues, still it's the playing of the music that fulfills that part of us that constantly yearns to be satisfied by that task. But one must do what one feels is right for them, and whatever your intentions at this point in your life and music, I respect your feelings.
I feel that what you have to say below is very important and would like to post it along with some comments expounding on that viewpoint written by Ed Soph after I sent it to him to see in the newsletter area of my website for the issue that will be posted in late July or so. If you prefer I not do it, I will certainly honor your wishes, but I think that your thoughts, shared by so many of us, are important and should be viewed by as many people as possible. Let me know what you think about this.
Thanks,
...Marvin Stamm
Hal,This morning a fellow musician e-mailed me your "RIP" article. It's message struck very close to home and lead me your web site where I read just about everything you wrote in a similar vein. Having done so I would like to offer my thanks and my encouragement for the work you are doing and offer my assistance in any way that you might see fit ("What effect can one person have compared to 100 persons speaking out on the same issue?"). [maybe we should find a way to talk about 1000s of people]
Your rants speak closely to my situation. I have had the good fortune of apprentice-like instruction through my development and interaction with many of the greats (including yourself 10 years ago or so at Bud Shank's workshop). My mentor, John Clayton, steered me in the right direction and now I am in that place making a living playing jazz with some great names on my resume. . . and no idea what happens next. It is clear to me that the next step to becoming the musician I would like to be involves apprenticeship. But the opportunities are so few. How does a player find an experienced mentor who is willing to take that younger player to the next level...
...Your concept of the Jazz Masters Guild seems an important step in the right direction and I anxiously await the future installments of Pipe Dreams, but I wonder if there are any solutions to the problems endemic in the jazz record business. The time is certainly ripe for some form of Jazz Activism, but an organized and effective approach is not currently apparent.
I appreciate your writings, based on real in-the-trenches experience and thank you for taking the time to share them with the jazz community.
As I said, if there is anything I can do, let me know. My vested interest will energize my efforts.
Zac Matthews