Happy Birthday JazzWax

JazzWax turned two years old on August 3rd. I was too busy posting the start of my Denny Zeitlin interview to remember. A friend mentioned it yesterday, and my palm hit my forehead. So today I decided I'd pause briefly and reflect. The past two years have certainly been an exciting adventure. I always say I'm no different than my readers—it's just that I write about what I'm listening to and take the rest of you along for the ride. I hope you've found the past 706 JazzWax posts enjoyable and, like me, have learned a few things along the way.

As long-time readers know, I write only about subjects that interest me and interview legends I care most about. Editorial decisions are made free of influence and are exclusively about the music and what turns me on. Despite the hurt that print has experienced over the past two years, it's gratifying to know that web-based journalism and history are still widely read and appreciated. 

So far so good for JazzWax. According to Invesp Consulting, a blog-ranking service with data updated weekly, JazzWax is now ranked #6 in the Ultimate Rank among all jazz blogs based on 20 different factors. JazzWax also is #2, just behind Doug Ramsey's Rifftides among jazz blogs with the most incoming links (meaning who in cyberspace is linking back to JazzWax blog posts). It's #2 based on unique monthly visitors, behind Wynton Marsalis' site. It's also #2 based on Google PR, and #2 in Invesp's Compete Rank.

All of which is nice. What counts, however, is that JazzWax's mission continues—namely to help jazz consumers figure out where to spend their money and to preserve the stories of jazz legends. Jazz is as much about stories as it is about music. In fact, the music is almost meaningless without the historical context. And a big thanks to all of you who post brilliant comments, regularly e-mail support and keep an eye on my typos. You know who you are.

Well, I've held you long enough. Lots more coming in the months ahead. Oh, before I forget: Starting Monday, a five-part interview series that is sure to astonish. Trust me, you'll be taken aback. See you on Sunday for my weekly editorial and Wax Bits roundup.

Have a great weekend!

Comments

[Han Schulte]

Dear Marc,

You run by far the best website in the jazz community. Congratulations.
I still have a wish: direct your excellent interview technique also to the younger generation of jazzmusicians. They need it.
Pick your favorite musicians from all age groups. And go on for many years!!
Best,
Han Schulte
Netherlands
jazzpress.org

[Jeff Rzepiela]

Congratulations, Marc! This is one of my favorite sites on the web and one of my first places to visit each morning.

Keep up the great work!

- Jeff

[Hans Doerrscheidt]

Congrats, Marc! Your blog ranks at the top of my daily bookmarks.

HCD

[Denis Ouellet]

Thank you Marc for this great blog.
It is always with great anticipation
that I read it daily.

[Doug Zielke]

Marc, although I do look at some other jazz websites ocasionally, yours is the only one I read every single day. Congratulations on the anniversary!

[Jason Crane]

Huzzah! Many happy returns! More exclamation points!

All the best,

Jason Crane
The Jazz Session

[Greg Lee]

"Put another candle on my birthday cake
We're gonna bake a birthday cake
Put another candle on my birthday cake
I'm another year old today." -- Sheriff John

[Jan Stevens]

Congrats Marc! Jazzwax is as important a start to beginning my daily schedule as is my coffee. Regarding jazz sites, I still find myself more refreshed and inspired by your work (and Doug's) than all the others out there. That's why the impressive stats don't really surprise me, though I applaud them: jazz people are discerning web users as well, and they know excellence!

-- Jan Stevens (BillEvansWebpages.com)

[Michael Steinman]

In the words of Bing Crosby, "Yeah, man!" Congratulations to one of the indefatigable and smart folks --

[ortega]

Only two years?
If you look at the archives it looks so much more!
Good job and thanks!

[Uwe Zänisch]

Great and happy day ! I wasn't aware of it. Thanks for all the education and spirit for the good music. Keep alive your investigation for unknown facts and help younger cats to find the track ! Cheers

Uwe Zänisch

[Ed Leimbacher]

Jazzy Wax-way to us;
With no muss and no fuss
Blogging practically daily:
Myers' "mark" we can trust!

(Wouldn't post such doggerel ordinarily, but I'm out of town and forced by ornery computer to send comment rather than private email. So please accept apologies and congratulations!)

(Also, rembetika is up now.)

[Anders Ählström]

Thanks to an e-mail a few weeks ago from Bob Brookmeyer/Artistshare recommending your interview with BB, I got acquainted with your blog. Talking statistics, JazzWax has become my #1 morning reading, putting New York Times at the second place. Your style, the subjects you select, your intelligent, still simple, way of interviewing, and, not least, the clever editing of the features mixing pictures with text - all in all great journalism.
Keep up the good work, Marc! I'm looking forward to Monday...
Best regards/Anders Ählström, Gothenburg, Sweden

[Don Tyler]

Thank you Marc...your blog is a must read for any serious jazz fan. I've read all of your entries. I enjoy the quality of your writing, interviews, and taste in music. Keep it coming!

[David Brent Johnson]

Marc, I'm late to the party, but congratulations--I've loved & followed the blog since its launch, and it's hard to imagine the jazz blogosphere without it now. Your work here has been a marvelous contribution to the ongoing annals of jazz history. Here's to many more years!

[Paula Hayward]

Hey Marc, great website.....would love to see your opinion about the New York Jazz-singer KEN ARD, he made a great CD, "Ballads Blues & Cocktails" and is played at radio station WBGO a lot!
www.ardjazz.com