Singin’ the Blues

Regarding “Ladies Sing the Blues,” Dirk Sutro’s profile of blues archivist Rosetta Reitz (April 12):

I would seriously question the credentials of your writer if he thinks Helen Humes was a pianist, rather than one of the great jazz vocalists of all time.

As manager of Nellie Lutcher and Hadda Brooks, two of the artists represented on Reitz’s label (another gaffe--Dorothy Donegan is not the only living artist in her catalogue), I would point out that most of the recordings reissued--if not all--are bootlegged.

Nothing is officially licensed from the original recording companies and therefore no one--publishers and composers included--is receiving royalties.

While Lutcher and Brooks are still actively performing, another of Reitz’s “rediscoveries,” Cleo Brown, lives in retirement in Denver. Annisteen Allen, Betty Hall Jones, Ella Johnson and Ella Fitzgerald, all included on Rosetta reissues, are still living. Jones and, of course, Fitzgerald are still active.

There is no doubt that Reitz is providing a service by making available to the public material and performers it would otherwise not be able to hear--or even know about. But I know firsthand that as a matter of principle, Lutcher is very disturbed that her 1953 recording of “St. Louis Blues,” whose master is owned by Columbia Records, is being illegally sold on the Rosetta label.

I am not criticizing Reitz’s operation--she is indeed well-meaning in her efforts. But the average reader should be aware of the full picture of her operation--which is not 100% legal.

ALAN EICHLER

Hollywood