Talk:John Colianni

Possible COI

Hmm. Lots of promotional material. I call it cheerleading. One section just for quotations about how great the subject is. The subject's name is John Colianni and there is a red-linked user in the history named Colianni2015. You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure that out. Many people feel no qualms about using Wikipedia for their own purposes, in this case to promote themselves and advertise...for free! Despite the fact that it's against the rules and shabby behavior too. Anyone out there know what an encyclopedia is? How about impartiality? Ever heard of that? Or do you just not give a damn about anyone but yourself?
Vmavanti (talk) 14:38, 21 July 2020 (UTC)

Hi there. John Colianni here. In the absence of a better grasp of the guidelines on Wikipedia, I’m going to withdraw from editing the article concerning me. It has been pruned down, and I’m sure that virtually everything remaining on there at this point can be further verified or sourced to an acceptable standard (though that will be left to others). I’ve noticed flimsy or self-serving content in other articles on this forum, so I can appreciate contributors who seek to safeguard Wikipedia’s levels of usage and credibility. With the article concerning me, the facts of my life and career are likely as well documented publicly as those I’ve seen in some other bios that are in good standing (and before my recent trial editing, there had been some legit citing and sourcing by others showing in my bio).

With that, it would be nice for the template disclaimers I’m seeing to come down, but as I said, I’m pulling back from active involvement with such edits. Thanks, John.Colianni2015 (talk) 14:09, 6 August 2020 (UTC)

Thank your for replying, Mr. Colianni. There are 7.5 billion people in the world, 350 million in the U.S., and two people who work regularly on the jazz project, which contains over 27,000 articles going back ten years. There are over 6 million articles on Wikipedia. I'm sure you have seen self-serving, biased content. I can only do so much. You would be surprised how many obstacles there are to getting anything changed. You might not be surprised at how many people are interested only in "doing their own thing". All of these facts contribute to shredding my patience. Good luck on a difficult career in a difficult time.
Vmavanti (talk) 16:38, 6 August 2020 (UTC)

Thanks for the reply. I should mention that I am only just now hearing about the Jazz Project, whose parameters I presume are any articles and bios pertaining to Jazz on Wikipedia. Now that you've told me of this, I've no doubt it's a big task to monitor and edit the various items. A commendable, but challenging task, I'm sure. Meanwhile, as I said, I am intent on letting others - whoever they may be - do future edits and additions to the John Colianni bio page. So I hope saying that mitigates past errors or incorrect entries. In that spirit, may I ask you to undo those templates, and I'll maintain my hands-off posture? I really think that whatever remains in the bio at this point is adequately verifiable. Appreciate your consideration on that, and would be good the hear back. Regards, John.Colianni2015 (talk) 17:12, 8 August 2020 (UTC)

OK. I removed the templates. I believe you pass our notability requirements. Can you clarify your participation in the Thelonious Monk competition?
Vmavanti (talk) 17:33, 8 August 2020 (UTC)

I was contacted by the Monk Comp people in the mail, and they asked for an audio demo. I submitted a commercially produced cassette of my first Concord album, "John Colianni". I was accepted as an automatic semi-finalist, as a result. In the competition, I played through several rounds, all solo piano. T Monk JR was the moderator/host. The dean of judges was Hank Jones. There were vigorous debates between the judges about the awarding of the contestants, so we heard backstage. In the finals, the proceedings were halted, and after a conference, it was announced that Joey DeFrancesco and myself had to participate in a "playoff" to determine who would be cut from the finalists. I don't remember all the details, but I was selected to stay - Joey was cut (he told me recently that the experience still wounds and haunts him to this day). Then the awarding of the prizes were announced, and of course I received my call-up and prize. Was very exciting. Met people in the crowd who told me they were "on the edge of their seats". Hope that furnishes some more info you were looking for? I saw this article, a preview of the next year's event, which references my showing. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1988/11/16/on-the-beat/d48ae820-eb82-4f68-8ae9-823beeff2ce2/Colianni2015 (talk) 20:18, 19 October 2020 (UTC)

Can you tell me if the labels are right? Are those the record labels that released those albums? That information is sometimes difficult to get right.
Vmavanti (talk) 17:43, 8 August 2020 (UTC)

Thanks for asking about the albums. The 1998 release, "Colianni And Company", was a quintet session (also including vocalist Kelly Bell and drummer Joe Ascione), and was released on Dolphin, a South Carolina label. Colianni and Company was well liked and reviewed album at the time. Dolphin was a small label, but I recall seeing my releases for them in London's Tower records and other places. Dolphin also put out two other trio releases I'm on, "Savannah Presents Jaz" and "Christmas In Savannah", both released in '96 or thereabouts, and both led by bassist Ben Tucker. Must also mention "Prime Cuts", a 1999 release, a solo piano album recorded in Switzerland that is not showing in the Wiki discog. Prime Cuts was done for Jazz Connaisseur, a Swiss label run by a married couple who presented festivals and concerts in Europe for years. The Jazz Connaiseur (note the Swiss/French spelling) label put out a lot of excellent recordings by other artists too: Dick Hyman, Joe Turner, Ray Bryant, Wild Bill Davis, Buck Clayton, and more. My album was recorded on an excellent Hamburg 9' Steinway, in the venue "Die Alte Kirche", in Bozwil, just outside Zurich. Production was first-class, and the album received some nice attention for a time. I think "Prime Cuts" deserves to be on my discography, so perhaps you'll consider adding that. One other notable aspect: the production supervision liner notes were both done by the ex-pat, former Ellington bassist, Jimmy Woode. Lastly, I'd like to see the Anita O'Day release I'm on (Indestructible!) appear somewhere in my discog. Thanks for all the consideration here, and get in touch if further info or discussion is desired. JohnColianni2015 (talk) 20:18, 19 October 2020 (UTC)