Why Doesn't Contemporary Jazz Get Any Respect?

As a P.S. to my above...I bought a nice "mini" system for my youngest son for his bedroom on his birthday in late November.(like I had for my oldest son when he was 7..now a Jazz trumpet player is 3 bands). As an addition to his musical birthday he was able to use the money from his Grandma in anyway he wanted. One of those "ways" was to buy the Dave Koz Christmas CD.

We fell asleep several nights with the sounds of the Dave Koz, Charlie Brown and other "Jazz" Christmas cd's.

My point?,...music is a good experience..be it Jackson Browne solo, the Planets played in NYC or Chicago..or our local "Jazz" people live here in Madison, Wi. In wanting to be a good parent and understand my children...I must remember they have understood my music....and I want to understand theirs.

I believe Ray Charles said the following:

"It's all folk music 'cause donkeys don't make music."
Those are wise words from Brother Ray, an accomplished jazz singer -- well actually he was an R&B singer, except for when he sang those C&W songs, but that's when he wasn't being a soul singer, or pop singer...and let's not forget his gospel work.

Don't get so hung up on labels. Good music is good music.

Bravo Onhwy61; It couldn't be said better, IMO. "Brother Ray" is certainly one of my long time favorites, but I also enjoy Shirly Horn, Diana Krall, Buddy Guy, Emmylou Harris.......... so much music, so little time. Cheers. Craig

Thanks Frank for your kind words! Cheers, Detlof

Someone here mentioned that Smooth Jazz as elevator music. I agree. It's okay as background music, but it's nothing I'd rush out to buy. Smooth Jazz CD sales represent 2 % of the market in the U.S. I think that any correlation between smooth and classic jazz sales is dirctly proportional to education of the form and exposure. Most people that I've had over to the house have never been exposed to jazz from the 1950's or 1960's, except for what they hear in movie soundtracks. Once exposed, I've found many that have asked me who it was, what label, where to find a copy. At another post, someone had mentioned that Smooth Jazz is available at Columbia House and that Classic Jazz wasn't. I'd include most stores in that also. Possibly it's the lack of exposure.