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Why Doesn't Contemporary Jazz Get Any Respect?

I am a huge fan of Peter White,Kirk Whalum,Dave Koz,Warren Hill,etc.I have never understood why this flavor of music gets no respect.Not only is it musically appealing,but in most cases its very well recorded.Any comparisons to old jazz(Miles Davis etc.) are ludicrous.Its like comparing apples and oranges.Can anyone shed some light on this?Any contemporary(smooth)Jazz out there?I would love to hear from you. Thanks John
krelldog
ljgj
955 posts
 
In the so-called jazz/fusion area if you sell a lot of records like most of the artists you mentioned than the critics do not like that - if they can bring someone obscure into the limelight they like that than when they sell they go for the kill and critize them for sappy music. Older jazz artist - they respect those because if they don't than they die as a reviewer. I mean who would critize Miles Davis and Duke ellington.
tireguy
1,964 posts
 
Sdcampbell- You could be onto something, I know smooth jazz NEVER gets my foot tapping. Perhaps we could start classification for jazz as jazz that gets the foot going, smooth jazz(fusion) is everything else. Improvisation, good point, I don't think I could find many modern popular artists that do that, on purpose any how. I must admit I heard something that bothered me the other day and it was a cover of Dave Brubeck Quartet's classic "Take Five" with smooth over tones, I nearly lost my lunch.
krelldog OP
313 posts
 
I am in no way degrading classic jazz.I just don't understand why there is such a negative attitude towards "smooth jazz" In my humble opinion some of the "smooth jazz" artists that are popular are amongst the most talented musicians in the world."Smooth jazz is a totally different sound.It is certainly not elevator music.
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drubin
3,267 posts
 
I dislike most of the smooth jazz I have heard because it has zero emotional content. Great chops, perhaps, but no feeling. Thus, in my mind, it is indeed elevator music. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
krelldog OP
313 posts
 
Drubin- Zero emotional content? That is ironic because I have tried and tried to listen to Miles Davis,John Coltrane,and Dave Brubeck and its the most irritating sound I have ever heard.While I know its great music,I can't listen for more than 5 minutes.I guess thats the beauty of music,it comes in all different flavors.I have a vast collection of music,and I can honestly say some of my best "smooth jazz" is the most emotionally involving music I own.I guess I get a little defensive when something near and dear to me is being picked on. Peace- JM
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