Charles Passy
CRITICISM
Palm Beach Post

Charles Passy's reviews in the Palm Beach Post range over the musical landscape, from classic rock to MTV fare, even symphony orchestras.

"My tastes have always been fairly eclectic," he said. "Although I started out writing about classical music — I once was an aspiring opera singer — I've always been interested in pop. The first record I bought was Simon and Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water.' But I find when it comes to hip-hop, there's a part of me that has trouble 'getting it' — hence, the story I did on the subject. I think that's true for a lot of critics in the 35 and up bracket (I'm 37). You try to keep and open mind, but you can't help ignoring the soundtrack you grew up with."

Which is more important for the reviewer, the economic well-being of readers -- assisting them in not paying for tickets for bad shows -- or entertaining them?

"I think it's a balance of the two," he said. "I cover a lot of events that frankly aren't going to be repeated -- unlike the case with movie or theater critics -- so my reviews are more like 'box scores' than actual user's guides. And if I'm doing my job right, I'll get people to read about events they wouldn't normally attend, but they'll read about them if I've got something amusing to say."

The New York City native graduated from its High School of Music and Art and Columbia University, where he majored in English and helped run the campus radio station.
He has been a performing arts critic at the Post since 1992, covering classical and pop music.

Earlier, he was top editor of three New York-based music magazines -- "Musical America," "Classical" and "Ovation," and was an entertainment stringer for Long Island Newsday and New York Newsday.

He was a member of the Cox Olympians who covered the 1996 Games in Atlanta.