Why Doesn't Contemporary Jazz Get Any Respect?

An interesting thread. I would suggest that saying jazz is considered America's only true art form makes one question the definition of 'art form'.
Among music, bluegrass and musicals are certainly also native to the United States. The problem with most other 'art forms' is that if you define them broadly enough, like 'painting', the USA is obviously too young a region. If one goes more detailed, there are plenty.

The western movie genre is also a uniquely American art form. Sonny Rollins understood the connection to jazz. And John Wayne said "That'll be the day" before Buddy Holly.

While I like jazz generally (especially 50's & 60's), to me "smooth jazz" is like wallpaper.

T_bone and Onhwy61, very valid points.

Personally, I've always thought of art as being in the eye, or in this case the ear, of the beholder. I can't now recall how many decades ago it was I first read the phrase in print: Jazz is America's only true art form.

At the time I read it, it somehow seemed to fit. But you're absolutely correct, western films are held in high esteem throughout Europe.

Albert may likely be far more qualified than I to shed some light on how the phrase came into being. Okay, now you've got me very curious. Who was it that first coined the phrase, and in what social context was it first conveyed? Looks like I've got some serious researching to do. My intuition tells me it seems like a phrase that could have been used by either a jazz historian or black historian. If anyone has any actual knowledge of how this phrase came into being I hope they'll chime in.

Smooth jazz is okay in my book. Though I'm not a fan of the genre, any music that points new listener's in the direction of classic jazz I'm all for it. This music, classic jazz, has a beautiful and romantic history associated with it. And of course a fabulous cast of character's. I missed my calling. I'd have loved to have lived during jazz's heyday strolling down 52nd street amidst the sounds of genius filling the air on any given Friday night.

Charlie Parker lives...

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,