Leave My Horn Alone, Dammit!
Yeah, I saw Tony Snow playing the flute with some band on Countdown. One of my housemates was commenting on how the CBS News Anchor was really painful because of cringeworthy lyrics. I found Tony’s performance far more difficult to watch. He really is a terrible flute player and has no improvisational skills to speak of, judging simply from the video shown.
Keith Olbermann described the debacle as “Tony Snow picked up his jazz flute and…” This is the sound of me shaking my head.
I studied music composition in college, emphasizing jazz and classical composition. My major instrument was the flute. I think a talented musician on the flute can play jazz that isn’t embarrassing or dorky or clowny or rife for ridicule. Some names that spring to mind include the late Herbie Mann, Ali Ryerson, Hubert Laws, Dave Valentin, and numerous other greats who doubled on the instrument, particularly Eric Dolphy and James Moody. I have loved the instrument for more than 15 years. I plan to continue improving on my instruments (flute and reeds) and when I’m ready to not be an embarrassment to myself, play live again.
However, taking the stage someday on the instrument will exponentially inflame any stage nerves when the only two people most people think of when they think of flute players attempting jazz are Tony Snow and Ron Burgundy. At least, there aren’t a rush of half-assed performers lined up to make fun of bass clarinet players.
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