Why Doesn't Contemporary Jazz Get Any Respect?

Coltrane,
My only question is how many people strolling down 52nd Street in the 50's realised what they were listening to?
It was a moment in time.

Regards,

Neil Armstrong setting foot upon the moon one July 1969-
Albert Einstein discovering the theory of relativity-
The Beatle's appearing on the Ed Sullivan show one 1964 Sunday evening-

All were but moments in time, that changed the direction of life on the planet.

Jazz on 52nd street was a laboratory of self discovery for musician's, and society - Both delving the depths of music unlike anything that had been done before.

To a larger degree than many recognize, this point in time too changed the face of music forever. To be dismissive of this period does not give the music or its creators the respect they deserve. These cats were geniuses living on the avantgarde cutting edge of change - Both musically and socially.

Calling Kenny G, The Rippingtons and most similar stuff contemporary jazz is kind of like calling cool whip and velveeta cheese modern cuisine. Contemporary players like Dave Holland, Tim Berne, Fred Frith, Gerry Hemingway and Ken Vandermark get a fair amount of respect, (but maybe not a whole lot of $$$). Going back a couple of posts, it could be argued that blues and a few of its evolutionary mutations have American origins. Instrumental surf rock per the Ventures, The Mermen, Los Straitjackets, Link Wray and Dick Dale for example. Sorry if this is getting a little too off topic, but another huge uniquely American figure (whose recent death has been puzzlingly overlooked on this site) is Don Van Vliet (Captain Beefheart). He put out records with percussive elements and phrasing that you can't pin on anyone else and he influenced a heck of a lot of other recording artists.

Just my two cents worth but I believe the way in which we listen to music informs our tastes at any given time. Some may listen to music in an analytical way and "true" jazz may be what they do that with. Some may find the emotional message enough, and certainly either trad jazz or smooth jazz can accomplish that. Sometimes you just want to sit back and not require such a high level of analytical listening or emotional involvement and sonic wallpaper suits that moment. If you were seeking a relaxed, laid back mood and smooth jazz accomplished that for you, who is to naysay the worth of it? I have a large collection of traditional jazz on both LP and CD, and enjoy it immensely and yet there are times when smooth jazz is what the moment and mood requires. To use a cold war analogy, maybe peaceful coexistence is what's called for rather than mutually assured destruction.

Well said, Mrmitch.