Responses to “Juneteenth Reflections”

To the Editor:

Many thanks for your well written “Static from my Attic” column offering your Juneteenth Reflections.

It is imperative that those of us who support equal rights for all (which I used to naively think was common sense) make our voices heard loud, clear, and often.

Bravo!

Jeff Stannard
Appleton, WI

To the Editor:

Thank you so much for your well written article, “Static from my Attic!” You voiced my feelings well. Playing piano for our small trad jazz group is an escape for me—a time to not think about the mess our country has devolved into, a time to appreciate the genius of so many well written pieces of music.

I only recently learned of The Syncopated Times, and now eagerly anticipate each issue, written with a unique clarity one rarely finds. Our group is hosting our first Trad Jazz Summer Camp. You have graciously included it in your Festival Roundup. Thank you so very much.

It has been challenging putting word out about our camp. We’ve hired excellent instructors and have, what we believe, is a well rounded program. At this time we have 22 registered students. In order to break even, we were hoping for 30. Do you have any suggestions of ways we might attract more adults interested in Trad Jazz? Our website is bertbarrjazzcamp.com.

Again, I appreciate your excellent paper and any suggestions you might give us on how to ensure a dynamic and successful jazz camp.

Michele Piastro
Eugene, OR

To the Editor:

I feel compelled, after reading your June “Static” column, to repeat publicly what I have warned you about privately on at least two occasions: political commentary of any stripe does not belong in the paper. It runs the risk of driving away some readers (even those who might agree with you), puts the paper’s tax-exempt status at risk, and does nothing to advance its primary purpose. You have acknowledged these risks yet you persist. I note that the June column was not as blatant as others you have written.

Whether I agree with you or not is immaterial. You, and everyone else, have plenty of options for opining publicly on politics, religion, or any other subject. Please keep TST on topic. If you continue to use it as a political soapbox I will be forced to discontinue my “Jazz Travels” column, which several subscribers have told me is the first thing they read when the paper arrives. I currently have several columns in the works that might not see the light of day.

PS: I have just renewed my subscription.

Bill Hoffman
Lancaster, PA

To the Editor:

My husband has had a subscription to The Syncopated Times for several months now after being introduced to it at the Birdland jazz club in NYC where we go often.

Today he told me I had to read your column “Static from my Attic,” which I have read in the past and enjoyed. It is regarding “the reactionary majority” of SCOTUS and their “unconscionable” abrogation of voting rights for the originators of Ragtime, Jazz and Blues.

I just want to say: Right on!

Please keep writing in this vein whenever the need calls. We’re not going to hear it from ABC, CBS, or NBC news, definitely not Fox, and only in hints and mumbles from major newspapers.

Go Syncopated Times! You are on the right side of history. Thank you!

Liz Garnier
New York City

To the Editor:

Glad you are back giving hell to the dictatorship that is ruining our country. It is discouraging that millions of people want this and are going to try to help Trump steal future elections by cheating and violence. All of us who do not want this must do what we can to prevent it. My health is poor so I can’t go outside and stand in the street at demonstration. But I am voting by mail in every election. It is possible that Ohio may elect a Democratic senator this fall.

Anyway, here is my membership renewal.

Dean Norman
Cleveland, OH