Why Doesn't Contemporary Jazz Get Any Respect?

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. :)

Because 'smooth jazz' is not jazz. Almost all of the real jazz artist are long dead.

It's not punk or hip-hop.

Music is a reflection of the times; these are some lousy times.