Jazz and More

Hi Prentiss [Riddle] ["Postmarks," Oct. 31],
   Thanks for your letter to the Chronicle. I hope it stimulates some conversation among discerning listeners like yourself. I appreciate, as well, your kind words about me personally.
   Indeed, I'm guilty of playing such 99.75% jazz-free artists as Joan Baez, John Hiatt, Radiohead, Nick Cave, and Elvis Costello (whose current album is basically a ballad jazz album). And don't forget Ben Harper, Morphine, Sidestepper, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Hamell on Trial, Al Green, Gotan Project, Ozomatli, Yo La Tengo, Van Morrison, and Explosions in the Sky (to name a few more).
   Nonetheless, you neglected to include the jazz artists I did play which would have given the reader a more accurate sense of what the program really sounds like. According to my playlists from last week, I spun: Clifford Brown, Poncho Sanchez, Sun Ra, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Orbert Davis, Michel Camilo, Zoot Sims, Thelonious Monk, Chico O'Farrill's Afro-Cuban Orch, Ron Carter, Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery, Patricia Barber, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers, Cyrus Chestnut, Ruben Gonzalez, Rodney Jones w/ Maceo Parker and Arthur Blythe - plus there was a live studio performance by local jazz pianist Terry Bowness.
   Include those names along with Cave, Baez, Costello, and Radiohead, and you've got a much different and more diverse program than your letter would indicate.
   The program is still called Jazz, Etc., but for now, and for the first time in 18 years, I'm emphasizing the Etc. a bit more. But fear not, the Jazz isn't going away.