Jazz for aficionados

Good question and I personally agree with your criteria.  However, as concerns this particular discussion, since it was pjw who first used the term and who suggested that aficionados were stuck with players from the 1940-1970 era ........

**** many jazz aficionados seem to get "stuck" in the 1940-1970 era sax players and never give the up and coming modern players a listen. Sure I agree that Coltrane, Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt et al were masters of their profession but besides a handful like Lou Donaldson (who I have seen 7 times), Wayne Shorter (2 times) they are all gone now and I don’t think Rollins can play live anymore. Give the newbies a listen you may be impressed. ****

"No one thinks ’Bass player’ when Mingus’ name is mentioned.. He was so much more than that. Ellington: Piano player?"

Now if you include the word influential when describing great jazz artist I see your point. Ellington, Mingus, and Thelonious Monk, who you left out (surely you jest) were highly creative and influential composers in which you cannot say that about all jazz musicians. Bird played mostly standards but he was  one of the greatest all time with that alto. Duke Ellington had to be creative and influential. He had a club to run and shows to put on every night. Again, different eras. So yes, I understand what you mean but only a small percentage of the "old school" jazz artists were unique, creative, influential, ect. The ratio of standards/originals that most of the older jazz artists had on their albums was the same back then as it is today. As far as jazz artists post 1970 - Do they sell a lot or records? No. They love what they do and keep jazz alive for those few of us that still know what it takes to be jazz artist. They also do way more session work as hired guns then the old timers. It helps them get by.

The most influential musician of all time,with just 4 released studio albums, who was also the best on his instrument was Jimi Hendrix IMHO. But your point was made and taken.

As above, I am a big Joe Lovano fan.
Happy Listening!

pjw
I second your recommendation of Art Pepper's "Straight Life"  autobiography. Very candid & open about his life, warts and all. He WAS a huge drug addict and unfortunately, due to prison and drugs was off the scene for about 15 years. What a waste. We are lucky he made a comeback and was creative for the last few years of his life. Very powerful emotional player in those later years.
You were lucky to see Jimmy Cobb live I am not sure if he plays live concerts anymore. If you don't have them I recommend Cobb's cds "Cobb's Corner" & "Jazz in The Key of Blue" with Hargrove.
I think frogman stated it very well in his post :
"Different players bring different things to the table" . I say if one person likes an artist and another doesn't so be it. As players bring different things to the table so do we, as consumers . We all hear differently , have different life experiences and come from different backgrounds. I feel there is room for  all musicians. If I don't like it I don't listen to it or buy it.  
I am always looking for new jazz artists/groups and that is one of the reasons I come to this site. If it turns out that the artist is someone who recorded before 1970 and I have overlooked him/her than that is still a plus.
BTW i've seen Stanley Clarke live and he can play the hell out of the  upright  bass 
But I do agree with rok2id about Charles Mingus. I do not think bass player but I do think composer,& bandleader .

Cheers