KNOCK ON WOODY

Letter-writers Fred M. Hall and Dennis Smith (Jan. 26), missed the point of A. James Liska’s review of the Woody Herman Sextet (Jazz Review, Jan. 9). They were both outraged that Liska indicated that Herman was “but a shadow of his former self.”

His former musical self wasn’t all that great. In truth, Woody in his prime was a second-rate clarinetist. That he discovered a number of jazz greats and led several sensational orchestras goes without saying and, in itself, is enough to ensure his inclusion in the annals of jazz.

But to assume that because one fronts a great band that automatically makes the leader an outstanding musician, borders on the naive.

DICK JONES

Long Beach