Jazz from 1957 to 1967 was the most definitive.

I hate to be "misunderstood", and that is exactly what is occurring here.
There was good Jazz before 1957, there was good Jazz after 1967, there will be good Jazz after today. If you can imagine a "Parabola", keep that shape in your mind. Imagine "Jazz" moving in a horizontal time line ascending in 1957 and then descending in 1967; this is "explicitly" what I am saying.

Orpheus10, FWIW, if your so inclined.....There is an interesting discussion on Music Lane in the AudioAsylum site which is talking about HardBop, BeBob, Miles Davis/Kind of Blue and some other aspects of music in general as well. Some of the contributors appear to have something to say that you might appreciate.

Newbee, thanks for the help. I heard Miles mention "Modal jazz" way back then, and I didn't know what he was talking about and I still don't.
Right now, I am hoping someone can "hip me" to the best "West Coast Jazz" available on CD. I also saw a silly comedy movie on TV, set back in the 40's I guess, where they had "Blue Grass" that sounded good to me. If someone has seen that same silly movie, maybe they know what the music was.

Foster_9, could you clue me in on your favorites by Miles after "Bitches Brew"?

Unfortunately for me, this thresd is too true; I am having a hard time finding new music.