JAM: August/September 2000 Issue: Coda

Mike Metheny

A Good Time To Raise the Bar
I'm sure there are those who think that JAM commentary ragging on Pitch Weekly is not only counterproductive, but analogous to the cry of the libidinous flea in that old joke about the little humper's assault on an oblivious elephant. (The punchline, squealed by the flea -- "Suffer, baby!" -- goes unnoticed, as the elephant trumpets for some unrelated reason.)

But, in recent years, the most widely read weekly newspaper in a city known around the world for its jazz heritage has continued (almost triumphantly) with its wanting approach to that noble art form. And that has been hard to ignore.

Call me a dreamer, but the notion that Kansas City just might have a chance -- someday -- to be taken seriously as a possible first tier, major league cultural hub is a tantalizing one. True, it may be pure fantasy, and true, the likelihood that KC could one day be mentioned in the same breath as New York, Boston or Chicago may be small. But it sure seems like something worth working for.

In order for that day to come, however, one thing KC will need to have in place is a first tier, major league weekly newspaper, and one that handles jazz with the same expertise it affords the other musical genres it covers. (...Instead of repeatedly doing to jazz what Bullwinkle would probably do to Shakespeare.)

That Pitch has acquired a new publisher and, more recently, a new editor is reason for fresh optimism. It is a time of new beginnings. Do each have, as a priority, a genuine desire to raise the bar? And, are both interested in upgrading the overall sensibilities of a publication that could -- someday -- be favorably compared to the Village Voice or Boston Phoenix?

Only time will tell.

But, for now, here's wishing these new arrivals all the best in their pursuit of higher standards across the board. A world class weekly newspaper will give KC that chance to be taken seriously on the national stage, and the music the city has been exporting for more than half a century will then have a chance to be treated with the respect it deserves.

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		Mike Metheny A Good Time To Raise the Bar I'm sure there are those who think that JAM commentary ragging on Pitch Weekly is not only counterproductive, but analogous to the cry of the libidinous flea in that old joke about the little humper's assault on an oblivious elephant. (The punchline, squealed by the flea -- "Suffer, baby!" -- goes unnoticed, as the elephant trumpets for some unrelated reason.) But, in recent years, the most widely read weekly newspaper in a city known around the world for its jazz heritage has continued (almost triumphantly) with its wanting approach to that noble art form. And that has been hard to ignore. Call me a dreamer, but the notion that Kansas City just might have a chance -- someday -- to be taken seriously as a possible first tier, major league cultural hub is a tantalizing one. True, it may be pure fantasy, and true, the likelihood that KC could one day be mentioned in the same breath as New York, Boston or Chicago may be small. But it sure seems like something worth working for. In order for that day to come, however, one thing KC will need to have in place is a first tier, major league weekly newspaper, and one that handles jazz with the same expertise it affords the other musical genres it covers. (...Instead of repeatedly doing to jazz what Bullwinkle would probably do to Shakespeare.) That Pitch has acquired a new publisher and, more recently, a new editor is reason for fresh optimism. It is a time of new beginnings. Do each have, as a priority, a genuine desire to raise the bar? And, are both interested in upgrading the overall sensibilities of a publication that could -- someday -- be favorably compared to the Village Voice or Boston Phoenix? Only time will tell. But, for now, here's wishing these new arrivals all the best in their pursuit of higher standards across the board. A world class weekly newspaper will give KC that chance to be taken seriously on the national stage, and the music the city has been exporting for more than half a century will then have a chance to be treated with the respect it deserves. RETURN TO AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2000 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.