CLASSY COLLETTE

Thank you for the article on one of my music heroes, Buddy Collette (“The Jazz Life He Chose,” by Lynell George, Jan. 8).

He is the ultimate musician, teacher, diverse player, continual student, barrier breaker, historian--all these, and he is gentle, approachable and willing to share those gifts.

He may not fit the popular stereotype of a jazz musician--wild late nights, constantly on the road, hard living--but he is the template of the complete musician.

Thank you for taking care of yourself, Buddy, for the rest of us to enjoy!

JOCELYN M. TIPPLE

Santa Barbara

I am one of the fortunate people to have been touched not only by Buddy Collette’s music but also by his character.

In a business where neuroses and selfishness have become the norm, the “art” of giving has (for the most part) slipped through the cracks and gotten lost. But not forever, because it is giving that seems to spark and propel Buddy. Perhaps that is what has made him a true survivor.

He offers me hope and characteristics that I strive to emulate not only as a musician but as a person.

MICHELLE MANGIONE

Los Angeles

Quotes in the Collette article regarding the absence of several local black jazz musicians on the Pacific Jazz and Contemporary labels might lead one to think that there were no black musicians on these labels during their early productive years from 1954 to 1960. Pacific Jazz produced several albums that featured black musicians, and so did Contemporary.

I would venture that the pioneering work by Dick Bock at Pacific Jazz and Les Koenig at Contemporary Records, both deceased, did much to advance the careers of black jazz musicians and to expose their accomplishments to the jazz public.

JAMES A. HARROD

Laguna Beach