A Note of Appreciation

It would be unrealistically generous and unthinking of old swing and jazz fans like me to accept music critic Terry Teachout’s pronouncement about Artie Shaw: that it’s true he is the finest and most innovative of all jazz clarinetists (“Artie Shaw Talking,” by Aram Saroyan, Aug. 6). I believe that a greater number reserve that niche for Benny Goodman. Goodman’s musicality is much more memorable and swinging. Mere longevity over a deceased colleague should not rearrange the musical hierarchy in favor of the survivor. Lest there be a misunderstanding: Artie, I love you madly!

Eduardo Morga

Huntington Beach