JAZZ AT HEDSOR

and on the BBC

Some of you have asked if I had had any response from the BBC over my complaint for abandoning Jazz for Opera. Well, today I can say "Yes, I have".

Reproduced below is that reply, and my comment back to the BBC about it.

From: bbc_complaints_website@bbc.co.uk

Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 8:10 AM

To: Geoffrey Cronin

Subject: BBC Complaints - Case number CAS-526879-V1HDX1

Dear Mr Cronin

Reference CAS-526879

Thanks for contacting us regarding 'Jazz Radio Requests', broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

I understand that you are unhappy that this programme was not broadcast on the 8 January in its usual scheduled slot.

I appreciate your disappointment, especially since you are a fan of the programme and the genre. BBC Radio 3 dedicate the first twelve days of January to Mozart, calling it 'The Genius of Mozart Season'. All the programmes featured Mozart's music, including the opera you heard on the 8 January. 'Jazz Radio Requests' did return on the 15 January.

We’re guided by the feedback that we receive and to that end I'd like to assure you that I've registered your complaint on our audience log. This is a daily report of audience feedback that's circulated to many BBC staff, including members of the BBC Executive Board, programme makers, channel controllers and other senior managers.

The audience logs are seen as important documents that can help shape decisions about future programming and content.

Thanks for taking the time to contact us.

Finally, I have attached an invitation from BBC Audience Services' Head of Communications & Complaints, asking you to participate in our customer survey. We would welcome your views on our service.

Kind Regards

Mark Roberts
BBC Complaints
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints

My Reply

"Thank you Mark for your reply, but I don't feel that your understanding of my complaint is complete.

It is not only once, or even once a year, that Jazz Record Requests is ditched for opera, either completely or in part. This happens many times throughout the year .

How many complaints have you had from opera fans of the reverse being true?

How many 12 day periods have been handed over to the genius of jazz?

Also you haven't commented about my theme of accessible jazz, the jazz of the genre played on JRR being missing from the radio schedules. We have lost regular programs Like “The Best of Jazz”, and “Jazz Club”. Not all of the Avant Guard jazz that is sometimes broadcast is appreciated by the majority of jazz fans. British jazz players seem to have little exposure on the BBC airwaves.

Jazz is an art form, but it can also be hugely entertaining. If properly broadcast and explained, many more of a younger audience would appreciate the great fun and joy that can be had from JAZZ.

No matter what form of music, we do need to develop an appreciation amongst a younger audience for live music. Music produced by human beings who are right in front of the audience. The BBC could encourage this, and I am sure that they would find jazz more affordable than opera.

G Cronin"

Recent Live Jazz

Looking back over a couple of Thursday jazz sessions at Hedsor, 2 weeks ago Simon Spillett with beard was absolutely superb. Age brings experience of life, and this can now be heard in the maturing playing of Simon (born in 1974). His ballad playing is a delight. He is becoming a voice in jazz to be recognised. Last week, without beard, he came along as a supporter, and sat in with the Quintet in the second half. One member of the audience had not heard him before and was astonished by the quality of his playing and said it had been a real treat to be there that night! Hedsor fans should not take that pleasure for granted so much in the future. We are very fortunate that he is a friend of Hedsor Jazz!

Next week at Hedsor, the only regular member of the Clive Burton Quintet will be Clive himself. John Rolls, veteran saxophonist who sounds uncannily like Stan Getz will be joining Clive at the front, and the rhythm section will be Mike Jeffries on drums, John Monney on bass and probably Malcolm Clift on keyboard.

On a different subject I visited Zane Cronje yesterday, now back home. He seemed brighter than I had feared, but was still very weak, and still suffering from nausea. He fully understands what the medics have told him, that the cancer "seeds" (his word) have spread to many other places but he remains positive and surprisingly cheerful. He thanks all of you who have expressed concern and sent him your good wishes, and I shared some of the emails I have received from you with him. He is very grateful for all your prayers on his behalf.

As the cartoon says, "That's it for now folks"

Geoff C