Live Nation Rep says statement about Plans to Eliminate Jazz from American Culture was Joke

Here is a link from the website allaboutjazz.com. Pertinent quote from the story, "“We're doing everything we can to eliminate jazz from American culture, SO NO JAZZ!" Mike Luba of Live Nation Artists told commissioners, eliciting a few “boos" from the audience."

Well after a bit of emails outraged by his comment, he says it was a joke. This is an excerpt from he full story on the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's website.

"A promoter seeking city approval to bring a musical festival to Fort Lauderdale beach said Wednesday he was only joking when he said Live Nation Artists wanted to do away with jazz.

But Mike Luba's offhand remark to city commissioners set off jazz enthusiasts, who rallied to defend a treasured American art form.

Luba said he was flooded with e-mails from people who read the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's report Wednesday about a proposed annual weekend concert festival that would start next spring. Jazz lovers were offended by Luba's joke that, "We're doing everything we can to eliminate jazz from American culture."

Luba said he loves jazz and plans to include jazz music in the festivities."

It was not very funny, but then again Live Nation is not about culture.