Jazz and Radio

The adversarial relationship Mr. Feather feels may exist between radio and jazz is real enough (“Horns of a Dilemma,” Dec. 17). So too is the enmity that radio evidences for the entire spectrum of classical popular music.

Great standards, show tunes and mainstream jazz are not mutually exclusive idioms but rather are of common interest to a large minority. Yet, the only FM station in San Diego that airs this spectrum is an 800-watter that can be heard downtown--atmosphere permitting.

Mr. Feather seems to imply that we, the disenfranchised, are responsible for the primacy of plastic jazz and drum machines. Not so. Commercial radio selects the candidates, Arbitron counts the votes and “public” radio lives in its own private world.

Just what are we supposed to do about it?

BERNARD BOURDON

San Diego