BACK ISSUE ISSUE 15 SPRNG 2000 |
|
|---|---|
|
editors bit Recently I attended a wonderful concert by the Nat West Bank choir in London's QEH. The choir, made up entirely from employees of the bank was excellent and the standard high, but the programme notes announced in rather bitter fashion that after over 80 years the choir may have to be disbanded and this would be the last concert. For in their wisdom, the Nat West Bank had decided to withdraw its funding. Yes, withdraw funding from its own 80-year-old choir, which had attained high standards and given enormous pleasure to thousands, to say nothing of considerable cultural clout and prestige to the bank. After the incredible amount of bad publicity banks have received recently over rip offs and branch closures isn't this shooting themselves in the foot yet again? Or is this just another part of their master plan? With cutting out culture another stroke? Surely the funding for this choir is peanuts, probably only the lunchtime drinks bill of the chairman who after reportedly gaining £60,000,0000 (yes £60,000,0000!) for his handywork could well afford to fund his own choir! |
| I know this is
not the place for personal politics, but surely greed is becoming one of the biggest
problems for humanity in modern times, and I thank god for music and art that helps to
give us some other perspective on our lives, and would like to take this opportunity to
thank all the musicians and contributors to Avant who give their knowledge, ability and
expertise for free, without regard to financial remuneration, for without them we would
also not exist. This issue sees the continuation of our "Art of Noise" and 'Saxophone Secrets' series, with Ornette Coleman, Steve Lacy and the underrated Julius Hemphill featured, plus the continuation of our 'Harp' and "Percussion" series with the brilliant Rhodri Davies, and Michael Bettine writing this time on versatile American drummer Paul Wertico. An all new series also starts on Singers with fascinating articles and interviews of three of the most creative but underrated singers on the planet today, Julie Tippetts, Francine Luce and Maria Pia De Vito. With a host of other articles and interviews on The Ganelin trio, Fire Music, Sun Ra, Michael Mantler, Jonathan Crossley, Indo-Jazz Fusions, to name only a few. Plus our usual CD, book and live performance reviews, and an excellent free sampler from Leo Feigen's Leo Records. We truly hope you enjoy this issue. |
|
