Why don't kids nowadays know about Jazz and classi

Most adults I know don't know about jazz or classical. It depends on who you grew up with and where. My parents, and my parents friends don't know about jazz. They are about 55. The only people I know educated on music like that are older audiophiles that I've met in the past few years.

I guess it depends on how you raise your kids. I have three of 'em (14,13,11) and they are well-versed in all sorts of music, I've always encouraged them to listen to whatever piques their interest. My CD collection is theirs to experiment with so long as they treat the discs properly and return them when they're done listening (different rules with my vinyl, I'll cue it up and listen with them but they are not allowed to touch my Oracle 'table). When each child reached the ripe age of 10 I bought them their own stereo for their room (click on my System to see the modest systems) to encourage them to make music part of their daily life.

I recently bought them MP3 players so they can enjoy tunes when they're out and about, Creative and Apple make inexpensive players the kids love.

In addition all three of 'em are in the school band (flute, oboe) as well as taking their regular music classes in school. I heard my son's band recently, they covered some interesting material that included Bach, swing, and some light jazz. We listened to Steely Dan and some rap in the car on the way home *L* It's up to the parents to nudge their kids into music rather than leaving it to the kids to waste all their time watching tv, playing video games, and chatting on the internet.

I agree whole heartedly with Hack. I have a 2 year old, and from the time he was born, I have always made it a point to listen to ALL kinds of music every day with him. He danced before he walked. My father is the one who got me into Jazz and Mowtown by playing it when I was young. Most of my friends don't listen to it because their parents didn't. Don't leave it up to the media or your child's friends.

I hope you are wrong but I have no way of knowing. My guess is that every generation has said that about its offspring. Because of its complexity,because it is difficult to learn to play well,art music has never attracted more than about ten percent of the population.

Those of you in the biz,who know the numbers,can tell us the percentages of music recordings sold that are classical and jazz.

I do know that there are some great players out there in their twenties and thirties. A visit to the summer programs at Brevard or Aspin will demonstate that there are potentially great players in their teens.

I do not fear for the future of the genre as long as good players continue to develop.

It is an unwritten rule that kids with talent,who will practice,who have no money,get instruments and lessons. Years ago,Sixty Minutes ran a story about New York City doing away with instrumental music is its schools. Julliard stepped in and offered instruments and instruction to the kids who scored in the top ten percent of the Seashore test.

Art music always gets up off the deck and keeps swinging.