Jazz Column Off Key

Who is this man Dirk Sutro? His jazz review (“Spotlight” column, Oct. 29) has made me quite upset. I was in the Horton Grand Hotel to hear Bill Hunter play at a time when Sutro must have been there. His statements do not meet the standards of accurate, or fair, reporting about the musicians who played. Bill Hunter is a serious pianist. He pleases his audience all the time. And he does not deserve to be dismissed as he was by Sutro.

I was surprised that your jazz reporter feels the need to compare San Diego to New York. Jazz here is strong but needs good journalistic support to stay that way. Obviously, this area is not and cannot be New York City. To compare the two is like saying that martinis in Katmandu do not live up to those in Sydney, Australia. The difference in history and size is important. If Sutro wanted to say interesting things about our jazz venue, he might begin to look at our local possibilities instead of our liabilities.

JAKE JOHNSON

Point Loma