Why Doesn't Contemporary Jazz Get Any Respect?

Though I find a lot of contemporary Jazz interesting and beautifully recorded, nothing pulls at my heart strings like a good swing pulse. Seemed more transparent to me as well.

To me, the modern smooth jazz souds as if it is being performed by musicians on Paxil. There seems to be no real tension, creativity or nuance. The accent seems to be on flow and a relaxed groove. It puts me to sleep.

Jazz-Lovers Take Heed!! A few weeks ago NARAS decided to cut/get rid of quite a few categories from the Grammy awards. One of the genres chopped was my favorite music; Latin Jazz! I realize there aren't many fans here but cutting Latin Jazz further marginalizes ALL Jazz within the context of the Grammys. A knee-jerk reaction would be to think; "who cares about the Grammys, they're irrelevant!", and you'd largely be right. While this decision doesn't affect MY listening or buying habits, I can't help but think by further limiting the already tiny amount of exposure Jazz (ANY kind) gets doesn't bode well for the future of the music. Doesn't affect US NOW, but how about our grandchildren?

The Grammys have decided MY Jazz is irrelevant, how long before they come after YOURS!?

The funny thing is that if you ever go to see any of these "contemporary" jazz musicians live you are probably goin gto be treated to some good playing. There are always exceptions, of course.

The bad thing is, as good and as full of fun and life and chops in a live setting, sometimes the albums just sound dull and lifeless and over produced. Mindi Abair comes to mind - what a great player live, but her ablums make me sleepy.

Rick Braun's early albums had planty of life and live he is a blast to see, but the later stuff sounded stunted by comparison.

Are you kidding? Some of the best bop era jazz was released on the Contemporary Jazz label. :)