Just a question for the more experienced music fans, but does this have something to do with the basic structure of the music? In jazz, drums are part of the rhythm section; back-ground support for soloists to build their repertoires on. If recordings are "as-is", I would think that the drums would overpower some of the less dynamic instruments, and drown out some of the more neuances found in the soloists' works.
Drums reproduction
Considering audio's desire to reproduce live performance as accurately as possible, why do you think the drums are recorded so far back in the mix? I've attended many jazz and fusion performances and many drummers are at the sonic forefront of their bands. Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, et all sonicly fill the room like nobody's business. Even less powerful drummers are on equal footing with their bandmates. Why does it not sound so on recordings? The drums are politely included for percussive colorations but in no way dominate like live. Example: Elvin Jones live powerfully fills every bit of the room to the point that it can border on exhaustion. But on recordings he can sound like a pipsqueak in comparison, just another polite member of the band. Please don't confuse the performance of the musician. It seems like it is the producers choice. Why?