To The Editor:
I wish to comment on a previous story about the unethical and immature “mudslinging” around the Cape May Jazz Festival by the former founders, Carol Stone and Woody Woodland. Everything that has been stated by the founders is 100 percent rubbish. I have had the pleasure of performing at the festival for almost 10 years until the founders turned on me. I, along with many other musicians, well known and not well known, were given a stage to perform on, for which we were all grateful, but there is a big difference between running a festival and running a plantation, which is how Stone ran it, and with an uppity, iron hand as well.
It is not just my sentiment, but of many musicians who were unfairly treated over the years and made bow to the founders as if it was our duty, for all they did for us. Mind you, ladies and gentleman, we were very appreciative, but there is a fine line between that and having our noses rubbed in it. Stone and Woodland talk about racism and sexism…What readers don’t know, is that all of that came from them, not the board and most definitely not the volunteers or the patrons. Sexism? Many times Woodland was in my face whenever there was a lady around me. Do I have to count out loud? should I have to name some names?
Stone talks of racism just because they are an integrated couple and the people of Cape May have an issue with that…it ain’t 1964 anymore, it’s 2010, and guess what? I am a child of an integrated couple and the people of Cape May have never treated me differently. Lose the crutches, Carol and Woody. You have nothing to stand on.
Now, the accusers can be the accused… Many of the world’s greatest talents have come to Cape May to perform and the founders have treated them as if they were bus boys working at the Marion Inn. At one concert where the great Chuck Mangione was performing at the now defunct convention hall, Stone walked on stage in the middle of his performance and handed him his check…in the middle of the show. How unprofessional is that, ladies and gentlemen?
I, myself, came through the ranks of the festival to become a well-known face year after year and it was always my intent to bring my A-game, but as Stone told a few patrons on occasion, “He thinks he’s that good, but he really isn’t,” yet she can ask me in a conversation, “How’s your love life?” Sexism, readers, you decide who’s bringing it. I have been fortunate and blessed to play with some of the worlds best of the best, but I was “local talent” in Carol and Woody’s eyes. When you consider, the patrons, who year after year, give comments and were asked who they’d like to see at the festival, the founders would pay big money for an act that the fans hated and had never heard of, yet pay the popular acts that brought ions of people to Cape May, “chicken feed.” Guess y’all wanna know where the money went, huh?
I ask readers to spread the word, tell your friends, mark your Facebook, that the Cape May Jazz Festival is coming back and coming back strong with new positive leadership from Sal Riggo, whom I support 150 percent, and who in my opinion, is giving his all to bring the jazz lovers all new acts and venues and yes, the return of Winston Byrd.
When Stone cursed me out for not performing in her living room “Gong Show” after a party, after 10 years of devotion and support, I said I’d never come back. Well, the Byrd is coming back. To the former founders, I leave these parting words… grow up and get over it.
WINSTON BYRD
Los Angeles, Ca.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
