Fellow aficionados, I have stated that the output of good jazz was affected by adverse economic events. I see very bad economic events that occurred from 2006 through 2008, and then again from 2010 through 2012. These events were like a fire storm for the lower middle class. Although they affected the "upper middle class", they were able to weather the storm.
These events didn't spare any geographical area. While I observed events that were occurring in my neck of the woods, such as large shopping malls going down, I'm certain these same events happened in your neck of the woods. These events occurred because so many people who kept those malls afloat, were left with very little "discretionary income."
Discretionary income is the amount of an individual's income that is left for spending, investing or saving after paying taxes and paying for personal necessities, such as food, shelter and clothing. Discretionary income includes money spent on luxury items, vacations, and nonessential goods and services.
Places where live jazz is played, are the sources of new musicians income, as well as new ideas for music. I recall a place I went to on the weekends that featured a group that centered around an African finger piano. While the instrument was unusual, the musician's ideas were so creative, that I haven't heard anything like it before nor since. That place had to close because of a business downturn. I have mentioned things that occurred in and around St. Louis, and Rok has countered as though these events just occurred in this area. When I mention these events, I am certain that similar events occurred all over the United States of America, at that same time, that affected the same economic "strata".
Rok, mentioned the news, "Do you watch the evening news"? I used to watch the evening news religiously, but when I realized how rarely it concerns me, I quit watching so much. The news is most important to the wealthy, my economic strata is non existent in a general sort of way.
If you are "upper middle class" economically, you weathered those storms that occurred in the four years I mentioned prior to now, but you should be feeling some of the effects now; a lot of things you didn't replace, need replacing now. I also notice strange things in the"Agoner" community; many are struggling to stay in the "high end", while others can buy a 100K amp as easy as buying a bag of popcorn. Also, high end names have gone way up in price, more than inflation can account for.
What does all of that have to do with music? What does all of that have to do with you? As time goes by you will discover these are not normal times, and all of that will affect you. My time began in 2006, and it's affects are still in play; that's very important to allegations I've made concerning the adverse effects of economics to music. I won't provide examples because all the varied cause and effects speak for themselves.
