*****Rok asked the question: "I don’t understand why you guys think that jazz always has to change". Again, ironic. Ironic that someone who leans so much on the "history" of the music doesn’t see the obvious: Jazz has been evolving since its birth and it will continue to do so whether we like it or not******
The important words here are "Always Has To Change". Natural progression / evolution is one thing, that it MUST or HAS TO change is something else. That is not what has happened. What has happened is, the Music has been changed/distorted/redefined to the point that Anyone and Everyone can now play "Jazz". And although the Great unwashed decide, they can only choose from the people the critics and power brokers put forward.
The important words here are "Always Has To Change". Natural progression / evolution is one thing, that it MUST or HAS TO change is something else. That is not what has happened. What has happened is, the Music has been changed/distorted/redefined to the point that Anyone and Everyone can now play "Jazz". And although the Great unwashed decide, they can only choose from the people the critics and power brokers put forward.