If you’re a working musician, like it or not—you’re also a performer. So it follows that a great part of your job involves being on stage. And when you’re on stage and in the public eye, judgment of your performance is inevitable. From the casual audience member telling you “I preferred the suit you wore last time,” to a bad review in a big publication; everyone has an opinion. And as the old saying goes, “Opinions are like noses. Everybody has one.” Except “noses” is not the body part traditionally used in that saying. Just think of an unpleasant body part that best describes jazz reviewers, and you’ll figure out how the adage really goes.
I mean, don’t get me wrong, reviewers ALWAYS write nice things about yours truly. It’s nice to know they have journalistic integrity coupled with excellent musical taste.
Not that I’ve really had any bad reviews at all. I’m a little surprised that you thought otherwise. Almost no bad reviews! Huzzah! Well, truth is, sometimes I might get an unfavorable critique. Big deal. I don’t let it get to me. You see, as a professional, it’s important to remember that one’s career is not summed up by one bad review, and not to take any of it seriously. At least, that’s what my therapist tells me I should think.
So okay, occasionally a criticism slips through the net. It’s unavoidable. I mean, you can’t sleep w
