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Listen to Dinah Washington sing Accent on Youth
by Bunny M.
"Blue Wynton" by Theo Moore
Until We Meet Again...
In my last column I wrote of the significance of change in jazz. From "playing the changes" to changing the face of art, shaping and surviving cultural change, jazz is well-versed in remembering the old, embracing the new, and adapting the two in a seamless chain of ontogeny. Bix Beiderbecke once said, "One of the things I like about jazz is [that] I don't know what's going to happen next"; and so, it is in the spirit of a jamming musician hopping chords from one tune to the next that I am retiring my stewardship of "Accent on Youth" in the pursuit of new creative endeavors. Being able to write my own column for Jerry Jazz Musician, and getting to know so many wonderful, interesting people as I have the past two years has been an experience of great joy and learning. My knowledge and love of music has grown exponentially as a result of all the research, listening, collaboration, and cultural observation that has gone into this creative process. Of course none of this would have been possible without the music; with its rich, far-reaching history, cast of characters, and complex emotional substance, jazz -- and the desire to see it propagate among today's young people -- has been my inspiration and drive for writing "Accent on Youth" from its inception. Many, many are the thanks I extend to Mr. Joe Maita for taking the chance and allowing me the opportunity to write for Jerry Jazz Musician. That he saw potential in my sixteen-year old jazz-loving self with no publication writing experience is, I think, a testament to his fine creative foresight. His direction and unflagging support and encouragement have been a valuable aid in my growth as a writer in particular, and a person in general, and I am honored to have worked and exchanged ideas with him. Much applause is due the musicians -- from major-label recording stars to neighborhood garage jammers -- for keeping the jazz tradition alive and defying the purveyors of modern mainstream entertainment by stirring young listeners with quiet boldness to find that cookie-cutter pop is not the only way. Especially commanding of a hand are the young players, hobbyists and paying-gig mavens alike. The repeated enjoyment of having come to know a number of you fellow musicians and listeners through "Accent on Youth" is a great renewal of my faith in our generation as the new heirs of a musical genre whose innovations have more than occasionally been the product of youthful minds. High-fives to all of you for surviving the nuclear fallout of the bubble gum, Britney Spears-and-company cultural takeover. And of course, I would like to express my deep appreciation to you, readers, for sharing in my work, and for the many kind words and ideas you have blessed me with. Hearing from all of you is always a spring of joy and encouragement to me that the great spirit of jazz truly is alive and continues to be nurtured by modern lovers of music. I cherish the friends and creative collaborators I have come to know among you, and can only hope your enjoyment of my words and ideas has been a worthy return on the time you have invested in reading and following my column. Since I am not a person of goodbyes, I'll simply say in the words of Count Basie: "To be continued, until we meet again. Meanwhile, keep on listening and tapping your feet."
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Getting to know Bunny and working with her has been a great source of joy and pride. While the publication of her work has been gratifying and helped attract new readers to Jerry Jazz Musician, the most rewarding aspect has been in witnessing Bunny's persona emerge and her writing mature. I am fascinated by the sincerity of her interests, and grateful for her devotion to the column. As Bunny suggests in her farewell column, "Until We Meet Again," her life is changing, and so will Accent on Youth. The search for a new columnist has begun, details of which will be available soon.
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