Letters September 26

– Praise for Clorinda Nickols –

To the Editor:

I very much enjoyed Clorinda Nickols’ article (“A Contrast in Festivals,” TST, July 2026) in which she compared and contrasted the Bix Beiderbecke and Whitley Bay Festivals. Having never been to Whitley Bay, I had very little information on it, only that the quality of musicians there is literally world class. Her writing is excellent and I hope we’ll be privileged to read more from her in the future. I felt honored that she introduced herself to me at last year’s Bix, and I hope to see her there again, which may have already occurred when this hits the streets.

Bill Hoffman
Lancaster, PA

– Praise for TST –

To the Editor:

I don’t know where to begin in telling you much The Syncopated Times means to me.

It all started when Vince Giordano gave out copies when he was playing downstairs at the Edison Hotel. It was a life changer. From loving jazz to learning about jazz. Every month stories that grew my mind and showed me how much music and how many stories were available.

About four or five years ago I found though your paper that there was a Scott Joplin concert at St Michael’s cemetery in Queens. My wife Gloria and I attended each year until it ended. Your August 2026 issue explained that that concert was sponsored by Ed Berlin. I believe he gave a lecture at one of the concerts. What a thrill!

Dan Levinson, featured in your August issue performed at one of those Scott Joplin concerts. We have also seen him often with Vince and the Nighthawks. Having a bunch of health issue ourselves we had not been to a Nighthawks concert recently but your article explained why Dan had not been there as well.

Lastly, your “Static From the Attic” monthly reports are always on target. Gloria and I thanked you with an ad for one of them, but I can’t wait for each issue to see what you have to say.

Keep up the good work!

Lawrence Konstan
Forest Hills, NY