Jazz addicts want more concerts

I congratulate Peter J. Thompson for his very interesting and informative article regarding the now-defunct Jazz Club ('A brief high note to banish the blues. And all that jazz,' South China Morning Post, September 21).

It read like an obituary and is very sad in many ways.

I felt I had to write a few lines since I am one of those hungry jazz addicts who struggles, since the closure of the Jazz Club, to satisfy an insatiable appetite for modern jazz.

I was fortunate to attend one of the last concerts at the club last year (Quint et Sens), and as a newcomer to Hong Kong, was enchanted to find such a venue with an avant-garde attitude for modern and creative jazz. My disappointment was immeasurable when I heard about its closure.

Recently I attended concerts given by Mike Stern and the famous Joe Lovano Quartet. Both concerts were well attended. Drawing parallels with Mr Thompson's comments about occupancy at last year's Arts Festival, one wonders if there is not an element of society which prefers to be seen at more culturally correct, upmarket venues as against sitting in the modest confines of the Jazz Club and enjoying the musical intensity of a talented band.

The true jazz fans of this city must be longing for more concerts with more variety on offer (also from the European jazz world which is a reservoir of talent). Well-organised and specialised record shops are missing as well as an adequate press on the jazz world.