Manzo fires back at Jazz dept. detractors

Since the publication of my article on the Oberlin Small Jazz Ensembles concert in the May 7 edition of the Review, several faults and errors in what I expressed have been brought to my attention. I would like the Oberlin Jazz department and the Oberlin community at large to know that I now stand corrected.

It was wrong for me to relay my opinion so openly and candidly. I did so only as I was reviewing adult musicians, and assumed an adult level of maturity in their reception of criticism. But it appears as though I have hurt the feelings of many members involved in the small ensembles.

It has been said that I have portrayed to the community a bad image for the Jazz Department, a mistake for which I am deeply sorry. Other jazz performances that I have attended throughout the year have displayed some of the most talented, inspiring musicians on campus, and I did my best to report on what happened at the Tuesday night recital, relative to these high standards. It is obviously my fault, not the fault of the poorly played music that this "bad image" has surfaced.

Despite my fourteen years of training as a musician, my extensive exposure to all genres of music, and my experience in writing about music, it was ridiculous for me to articulate my opinion on jazz, or to possibly know the difference between what is "good" and "bad."

It has been with professional discretion that I have not reviewed concerts where my personal interests would interfere. I have done so with the hope that I could be perceived as an individual, expressing my individual opinion. But I understand why many jazz majors cannot see past my personal relationship with one of their colleagues, but I understand because of their chauvinism and immaturity.

Lastly, I apologize for assuming that the Oberlin Conservatory of Music is a place that prepares professional musicians for the professional world; a world in which criticism is not buffered by sympathetic compliments and people tell the truth.

Emily Manzo, Conservatory first-year, professional musician and music critic