Exclusive:
Ronny Elliott's reflections on the Tampa Bay music scene

Voices:
The State of the Arts in Tampa by Lori Karpay Gainey

Local Guitarist Vincent Sims asks the question "Is That Jazz?"

Music Education:
University of South Florida's Jazz Studies Program

Live Reviews:
Charlie Hunter at the State Theater

CD Reviews:

Michel Camilo "Triangulo"

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Meet the

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Granted, Tampa has taken a few giant steps towards expanding the cultural events to appeal to the masses. However there is still something missing. Perhaps it is the fact that our establishments are still closing shop early on the weekdays. Perhaps it is the fact that much of the music not considered mainstream doesn’t receive enough attention …. unless the musicians are not local. I believe that is where the brunt of my concern is found.

I believe that there is a stigma attached to the fine city of Tampa. That would be all encompassed within one word -- homogeneity. It appears that the people of Tampa might be just a bit afraid of crossing that line, that invisible mark that would tip us over to the side representing an interested society. Interested in a diverse environment. Interested in expression. Interested in the human element. Interested in more than the obvious. Sometimes it feels like the safe zone is all too evident. Now, I am not speaking for everybody, obviously. I am speaking for the personification of Tampa.

I am not offering a solution as much as I am offering something to consider. I have lived in Tampa for almost 38 years and can’t help but notice the swarm of transients anxious to plant their roots here. I understand the reasoning behind it. Tampa is an easy day-to-day place to exist. There are universities and colleges here, too. That would also mean that there are students! Typically, with students comes the need for diversity. I would also hope that with a variety of people also come a variety of tastes. That being the case, I have a difficult time grasping the fact that Tampa’s nightlife doesn’t consistently offer enough artistic diversity. Actually, the day life doesn’t offer much to the artistic eye and ear, either. We have many talented artists here. Right in our own town of Tampa!

The local artists have a tough time being recognized for their talent. I don’t understand why we don’t treat the local musicians and visual artists in the same vein that we would if they were from another state. I believe that is discrediting to our town. I believe that we could support the local artists and slowly evolve to a state of cultural awareness. I do believe that we have to begin by perceiving ourselves in a more expressive light.

So, what is the worst thing that could happen if we did take the plunge and expand our creative horizons? Would we become more interesting? Would we have more to write about? Would we eventually respect the arts to a point where one could actually afford to BE an artist without holding two other jobs to survive? That would be the ideal. After all, if you remove the briefcase, the 3-piece suit, and the 10-page contract, you are simply left with the most basic form of art … the naked human being.