STARS OF BETHLEHEM

I am writing to thank Don Heckman for his review of the reissue program of Bethlehem recordings from the 1950s (“The Blessings of Bethlehem,” March 24). I hope that his message is received by the decision makers at the major recording companies, most of whom continue to ignore the rich heritage of jazz that wastes away in their vaults.

Take the case of two extremely important Los Angeles jazz labels--Pacific Jazz, which was established by Roy Harte and Dick Bock in 1952, and Les Koenig’s Contemporary Records, which was founded about the same time. The Contemporary label is now a part of the Fantasy Records group of Berkeley, which has issued most of the historic recordings of this pioneering label. Fantasy has also mounted major reissue programs for the other jazz labels that it has acquired.

Pacific Jazz is now owned by the Capitol/EMI/Blue Note group, and it has not fared nearly as well in the reissue game. Most of the early recordings of Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan have been reissued--but other major jazz artists such as Chico Hamilton, Bud Shank, Bill Perkins, Bob Brookmeyer, Cy Touff, Richie Kamuca, Russ Freeman and the Mastersounds have been completely ignored. Major artists and groups who recorded for Pacific Jazz in the early 1960s have also been neglected--Les McCann, the Gerald Wilson orchestra, the Jazz Crusaders, Teddy Edwards, the list is endless.

JIM HARROD

Laguna Beach

Don Heckman’s timely ode to Bethlehem Records (of fond memory) omitted one of its early jazz stars--Ruby Braff, the small trumpeter with the big talent.

I was flattered to be considered as famous and powerful as Charlton Heston (Letters, March 24) and delighted to be remembered as a contributor to this page.

DR. MARVIN H. LEAF

Rancho Mirage