This question made me think. Hindi ba in the same manner that grunge, heavy metal, disco, *insert whatever genre you could think of*, etc. was/is identified with a certain generation, Jazz was identified with a certain generation as well? Though each genre has its own "product life cycle" (to borrow a phrase from MBA-speak), the length of those cycles vary significantly. Some were short (disco?), some just evolved over time. I think jazz is more of the latter. I guess just like any "fad", patrons latch-on in step with the genre's life cycle, then after the shake-out as the genre ceases to be the "flavor of the month", all you're left with are the afficionados who stick to it through thick or thin. There will be many reasons why you can't get a boatload of jazz converts as compared to the current genre-of-the-month. Either way, I'd rather have a smaller audience composed of those who appreciate the genre and those who take pains to understand it, rather than a large group of half-assed souls who don't take steps to move the genre forward.
I guess jazz used to be the "flavor of the month", but I don't think that was the straight-up jazz that the legends originally played - i think that was like their "pop" jazz before. I remember reading that Wes had to go "pop" because her wife can't dance to his tunes; but listening to his "pop" tunes, it still sounds jazzy. However, after listening closely to his straight-up jazz tunes, I can see the difference with their pop-jazz and the straight-up jazz. I guess the straight-up jazz was never really famous.
But then again, most of the other genres didn't really become VERY famous either - all genres just have a certain crowd. For example - Incubus wasn't really extremely famous except after the "wish you were here" and "are you in?" song. That's when you hear them on radio - but then again, most rock fans would call them sell-outs. But the pop-culture considers that rock.
But don't despair, at least our country has Sitti to promote jazz (Latin jazz that is).
You see, for most people, she is the authentic Latin jazz. But who are we to say that she isn't?
The sad part of reality is, if we aren't going to be sell-outs, we won't be famous for all - well, maybe just for some. And it doesn't matter whether you are into jazz, rock, punk, classical, soul, etc.
So if you're really good, at least you'd be famous in the jazz community (which is extremely difficult to do.) If you're going to sell-out, and be somewhat good in playing music, and have good looks or be funny (although not always a necessity) - at least you'd be famous to the pop community, and have lots of money. Hmmm... Think of that logic...
.png "huh")
Just my thoughts.
