Reviewing a Legend

I was appalled by A. James Liska’s mean-spirited review of singer Anita O’Day (May 5). As a veteran of 50 years in show business and as one of the truly original jazz stylists of her time, O’Day deserves more consideration, even if there were rough edges on her opening set of opening night.

To criticize her repertoire for its age is typical of American culture, which fails to venerate its living national treasures in its pursuit of commercial novelty. Did the reviewer expect to hear hip-hop from one of the few remaining pioneers of be-bop?

W. G. HARRIS

Hollywood