I agree completely with letter-writer Marion Sedlako regarding the wisdom of spending $10,000 for SummerSounds entertainment from Russia (“SummerSounds doesn’t need Russian band,” May 10, TribLIVE). I wasn’t aware that was being planned, but I have wondered, in the past, why the SummerSounds program director bypasses some of the great talent from our own region.
World-class talent is easily available within driving distance. If the directors of SummerSounds are at a loss in the recognition of great regional talent, we also have very knowledgeable music professors who have retired from teaching and would probably be pleased to act as consultants.
Entertainment talent horizons could be expanded, if desired, by looking no farther than Chicago. For variety, one could explore the evolutionary timeline of American music from ragtime, blues, trad-jazz, country and Western, syncopated jazz, modern jazz, modern improvisation, polytonal, swing, do-wop, disco, and more. There are excellent groups, within driving distance, that specialize in one or more of those genres. It might be interesting and easily educational by simple assimilation.
Joseph G. Cremonese
Hempfield