[weaddercaps]

Here's my leter to CBC:

"I was brought up on CBC Radio where my mother sang with both Nicky Goldshmidt and John Avison and the CBC Orchestra in the 1940's and early '50's. I have also been recorded and interviewed countless times myself by both CBC radio, Radio Canada and both networks' television broadcasts.

Serious music, like jazz and classical, has always been a major part of CBC Radio and frankly it is under seige by the forces of pop culture on the CBC. Only on CBC, apart from sporadic co-op stations can you hear music without commercial intrerruption. It is our national treasure.

Jazzbeat is a good example of everything that is good about the CBC. Please don't take this program off, as rumours have it you might. Katie Malloch and Claire Lawrence are both a great asset to our public broadcaster. Without that program we will descend into the trap of commercial. jazzy pop music masquerading as the real thing. Just because there's a walking bass doesn't make it jazz and Jazzbeat knows the difference.

Music lovers and musicians across Canada and internationally will lose a lot if this program is removed from the air.