Why Doesn't Contemporary Jazz Get Any Respect?


I am a huge fan of Peter White,Kirk Whalum,Dave Koz,Warren Hill,etc.I have never understood why this flavor of music gets no respect.Not only is it musically appealing,but in most cases its very well recorded.Any comparisons to old jazz(Miles Davis etc.) are ludicrous.Its like comparing apples and oranges.Can anyone shed some light on this?Any contemporary(smooth)Jazz out there?I would love to hear from you. Thanks John
krelldog

Showing 1 response by sc53

I've been reading this thread for several days now and i still have no idea what "smooth jazz" is or is supposed to be. If it's Kenny G, I don't like him. If it includes ECM artists, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Mike Scofield, I do like them all very much and thought they were contemporary jazz. In fact, I have been proud of myself that I've expanded my love of jazz from just the classic jazz of the 50's and 60's that I began with and now am familiar with and excited by the music of some contemporary artists. Now I fear that they may be labelled "smooth jazz," which has a negative connotation. Like liking disco. Please, someone, summarize the posts recorded here and give me a conclusion: what is smooth jazz, and who is playing it?
Thank you.
ps I went to a local jazz club not too long ago and heard/saw Patricia Barber and her band, and they certainly seemed to me to be playing jazz. her voice wasn't a typical jazz singer's, like Ella or Sarah, but her delivery, syncopation, dynamic range, and emotion were certainly in line w/her very talented musicians. Wasn't this contemporary jazz? i could never call it pop.