All That Jazz

Phew ! It's the weekend. 

The Manchester Jazz Festival has been something happening whilst I've been busy, and which I've just been aware of in passing by. There's a marquee set up in Albert Square with various bands and musicians playing. And outside, in the sunshine today, plenty of people enjoying some late afternoon/early evening downtime.

Some Jazz I love (Miles Davis, Ella, EST, Keith Jarrett), some Jazz (generally Free Jazz) I actively dislike. It's a marmite thing. 

The Jazz Singer was of course the first talkie movie, with Al Johnston the star. I can remember the black and white minstrel show on TV as a youngster, and seeing them live in Morecambe on holiday. Totally unacceptable to have white people blacking up their faces now of course, and amazing from the point of view of 2016 that that ever happened. Our understanding of other people's has moved on, just a bit, and a good thing too !

Manchester City Council are currently considering proposals to deal with the Town Hall. It is really deteriorating and needs a major overhaul. It could be sold off, it could be mothballed. The sensible thing is to spend some serious money sorting it out - up to £350m is required, a huge sum. But it is really iconic, and must continue to be the seat of local government in the City, so my personal view is that this is a price that is worth paying. Painful as that will be in this Age of Austerity.