JazzWax Turns Four

Four years ago today, I launched JazzWax on a dare. Today, the site has become a place of relaxation for thousands of daily readers worldwide. As of yesterday, JazzWax had 973,995 lifetime page views—just shy of 1 million. JazzWax also is on Twitter and Facebook, where it has 1,762 followers and 804 friends, respectively.

Ultimately, JazzWax is about you, the reader, and our mutual interest in jazz and other cultural things that make us feel good. From time to time I write about architecture, rock, art, soul, R&B and even disco—all under the assumption that you've come to trust my taste and that what I enjoy you either already enjoy or should at least give it a try.

I must say it has been an honor and a privilege to write this column daily. People ask how I've been able to write JazzWax six days a week for four years without flagging. I'm not new to writing, running publications or engaging audiences with content, so I understood from the start what something like this would demand and the standards I would need to uphold. I also understand inventories, planning ahead and making sure everyone feels welcome and appreciated.

A few words about JazzWax's mission and principles...

I write most often about jazz but from time to time I like to write about other types of music and subjects that I think will interest you.

JazzWax accepts advertising—but I'm always open and honest about this. I also alert advertisers from the start that editorial and advertising are two different departments, and that editorial coverage is not an attempt to solicit an ad and that running an ad doesn't guarantee editorial coverage.

What I choose to write about is based solely on the quality of the music that I hear and nothing more. Fortunately, JazzWax is not how I pay the rent, so I am beholden to no one.

Record companies and publicists send me free CDs all the time—but usually only when requested. Such requests are made because I have an interest in writing about the music. My reviews always come from the heart and are not motivated by a neurotic need to accumulate music.

As every major record label knows by now, I won't write about albums just because they are free and there's nothing that can motivate me to do so.

I don't pan albums. Why? My feeling is art is hard enough, and the last thing musicians and singers need is me having fun at their expense. Albums I don't like I pass on. I only write about the music I love.

I'm very democratic about reader Comments added to my posts. My rules are simple: No libelous comments, no four-letter words and no rancor. I simply require that arguments be made smartly and gently.

If for some reason you don't see a comment you've posted, I assure you I did not ban it or take it down. However, I do have a very sensitive and sophisticated spam filter. If your comment winds up in there, it's likely that you used words that have been flagged.

I remove all Comments that include links to promotional entities. For example, the person (or computer) who pretends to like a post only to feature a URL to a shopping site.

If you've posted a Comment but don't see it, email me and I'll take a look in my spam folder.

I try to answer almost every email instantly. If I don't, it's usually because I'm on assignment someplace here or abroad and cannot do so quickly. The more compact your email, the faster the reply. 

If you want to print out an article, click on the word Permalink at the bottom of a post. Up will come a page that's devoted just to that post. Then print.

Each interview under "JazzWax Interviews" in the right-hand column is often just Part 1 of a multipart conversation. To access the other parts, simply go to the top of the page, above the red date. There you'll see "Part 2." Click and follow along through the series.

Wow, four years. Thank you  one and all for returning each day. I hope I've been able to provide you with a daily sanctuary from the madness and left you with a spot of good cheer as you head off on your way.

JazzWax clip: In celebration of JazzWax's fourth birthday, here's Maynard Ferguson playing Four...

 

Comments

[Jeff Rzepiela]

Congratulations! This is one of my first stops every morning. Best wishes for many more years!

[Bruno Leicht]

Congrats, Marc!

Let's open a bottle of sparkling something (your choice).

Keep swinging!

Best wishes,

Bruno

RE: Maynard's "Four" from 1962? Fantastic chart by ???, and ... also my year ;)

[DAL]

Happy Birthday and many happy returns!

All the best,

DAL

[Han Schulte]

Congratulations, Marc.
Jazz Wax finds readers all around the world!
Most interesting jazz blog 4 years long.
Best,
Han Schulte
Netherlands

[mel house]

Congratulations, Marc!

Keep 'em coming!

Mel

[Bruce Stevens]

Congratulations, Marc!
Keep them coming! I always look forward to reading this daily!

[Kent England]

I've been reading JazzWax for at least three of those years and your blog is consistently the best of all the Jazz blogs about recorded music. I like the occasional forays into other music, although I can't understand why you like Steely Dan. It is always fun to read what you write.

[Jeff Sultanof]

Dear Marc,

Like you, I've been writing about many different art forms for several years. Several years ago, I was asked to write just such a blog as this one. Due to a lot of issues at the time, I couldn't do it. Your blog has turned out to be exactly the kind of blog I would have done, only better.

You are an important voice in the music community; the writing is great to read, straight and to the point. And you let the music affect you emotionally, something I miss from other writers. Where else could I read about Blue Note and Helen Shapiro in one space. And the column about Dave Lambert, one of the unsung heroes of vocal jazz.... priceless.

Keep it up, my friend. Yours is a small oasis in a large desert that is very needed.

[Denis Ouellet]

Thank you Marc for one of my favorite blog.
Is it already four years ? Time sure flies ...

[Chris Galuman]

Your blog really stirs the senses. It has quality writing and interesting film clips. Today's column spells out your sincerity and perfectly shows me why I click here every morning. I wish you success for as long as you live. You have already improved the quality of MY life. - Thanks

[Doug Zielke]

While I once had over 20 Jazz blogs bookmarked on my computer, my daily visit to JazzWax has replaced most of them. Keep up the excellent work, Marc! (I might add, it's high time you and JazzWax won a major award for your efforts).

[Dave James]

Congratulations on your anniversary, Marc. I admire your principles. Not being beholden to anything or anyone creates the sort of editorial control and objectiveness that make for interesting and informative reading.

Here's to four and more.

[Dick Cutler]

Congratulations on 4 great years. I too stop here first each day and always find it a fine, inspiring read. Thank you.

[Rab Hines]

You set the standard for what a jazz blog can and should be.

Thanks for everything.

[Jerri Carmo]

Everyday I learn something new from JazzWax. Thank you for all of the excellent continuing education. And congratulations too!

[Bruce Armstrong]

Congratulations, Marc! Jazz Wax has been a daily "must read" ever since I discovered it a few years ago. I probably do not have the breadth of musical interests that you do--I'm primarily a "West Coast jazz" guy with some "hard bop" stirred in--but I always enjoy reading about musicians that I ordinarily would not come into contact with. Here's hoping for four more great years. To answer an earlier comment--that arrangement of "FOUR" for Maynard was done by the late, great Willie Maiden.

[blbs]

Even though I said to you at Facebook, also wanted to express my wishes in this "guestbook". Thank you Marc for your daily hard work dedicated to all of us!
My sincere and warm Happy Birthday from a frozen Uruguay. Héctor

[John P. Cooper]

Slaphappy Birthday, MM.

Keep on bloggin'!

From one ex-Goodyite to another

[David]

Two things especially stand out for me: Probing, thoroughly researched interviews. Very deft and fanciful descriptions. For example, Pepper Adams's "walrus bark" tone.

[Rick M]

Marc; most everything has been said here that can be but I applaud your attention to musical entities (like Maynard, Steely Dan, Wrecking Crew) not normally recognized by more traditional serious (read:stuffy) music critics. Maybe it's generational but you, my friend, are becoming the new standard!

When you did the MadMen Lobbies, the Brubeck house and the Bullitt ride-along pieces I was convinced we are of the same sub-species.

Appreciatively, Rick of St Michaels.