My own evolution with rock and jazz roughly parallels Gary's and I share his love of Miles Davis' "middle period" (and the work of Davis' contemporaries in this period). Like him, I started with the well-known/regarded and began learning about lesser known figures and more difficult genres of jazz. Part of jazz's decline was probably the rise of "serious minded" rock and rock's infilitration of highbrow hipsterism during the late 60s. The young sophisticates of the 50s and early 60s really looked down on rock music and were more likely to embrace serious folk music than rock. By the same token, the evolving imporvisiation of Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane and othere alientated many in the jazz fan base as did the often vapid "fusion" acts that emerged in the 1970s. I don't share Gary's admiration for Chick Corea (whom I saw at his peak and even then the music sounded like 70s kitsch) or Pat Metheny (who seems too middle of the road).

Jazz, at is best, is as layered and complex as classical music, but more obviously a mix of "art" and "science"--the structure of notes on the page given life by individual artistry. Jazz is moody and senusal in a way that rock has rarely been. Rock had its roots in "fucking music" for want of a better term and is the perfect accomanyment for a long drive on the open highway or an evening of athletic sex. Jazz is more about foreplay, sensual play, and afterglow at 2 in the morning--it's about a different kind of experience that also is more overtly personal.

Jazz probably got a reprieve of sorts from the decline of mass rock in the 70s and 80s. That period is a time capsule of absolute junk and non-creativity. Things bubbled up from the underground, like the new wave and from other genres like reggae, but the vast middle lacked the vitality and diversity of the late 60s and very early 70s. Ultimately, though, that era gave us smooth jazz, which is nice for background music but not very serious music.

It takes some doing, but there are interesting new artists emerging from local jazz scenes and often doing "fusion" with more real flair than their predecessors. Matt Jorgenson from seattle is a good example. The Grammy for Hancock is, in some respects, an exercise in nostalgia. Hancock's best days were long ago and his electric experiments in the 70s were dismissed by many as "phony" jazz. Mitchell's best work overlaps with Hancock's best days and her recent stuff is basically unlistenable and self-indulgent. Her collaboration with jazz musicians, though, has been a long-term interest of hers and she did much to show case people like Tom Scott. Maybe the Hancock Grammy will stimulate some new interest. Jazz isn't an easy way to make a living, but the same could be said of working actors, rock vocalists, etc. Many rock bands that continue to tour are doing it as a side job. Lamenting jazz is probably less helpful than to highlight how it's still very much alive.

People wonder why I never watch CNN unless forced to in an airport. It's stuff like this. I used to live in Atlanta--I called it the city/metropolitan area that doesn't work because everything is filled laziness, lying, and general shoddiness, just like CNN (which is right downtown).

Anti-Catholic prejudice is bedrock for a lot of Protestants, even "liberals" (esp. in the South or parts of the rural Midwest). This is clearly "shore up the base stuff" but it will offend key constituencies and McCain won't be able to deflect the overall concern with fairness which appeals to a great many people including many fundies and evangelicals. It's not quite enough to get the MSM off their knee pads, but it will help, esp. if McCain tries to have it both ways with public financing of his campaign.

Despite a well documented history, Kucinich is easily the most unexamined of the Democratic candidates in this election. The establishment media and organizations like Salon have done nothing to unearth the sorry history that is attached to this loser. He began as a race-baiting white ethnic councilman and went on to be a disastrous "populist" mayor who ignored the city's African-American neighborhoods and needlessly alienated the city's elites.. He was surrounded by loyal, authoritarian aides who were long on "ideals' and short on a real understanding of their city. He brought the city to the brink of default and augmented the decline brought on by his predecessor, a corrupt, race-baiting white ethnic Republican. As a Congressman, Kucinich has failed to turn his seniority into a significant committee chairmanship or any significant legislation. His impeachment bill languished and he has been a failure by any Hill standard. As a proud, native Clevelander and a labor-liberal. I wouldn't mind seeing the third generation establishment politician, Cimperman beat him. Cimperman is a creature of the establishment and probably has a lot of corporate money behind him. OTOH, he's not a grandstanding boy-politician who has accomplished little. Cleveland deserves more than "Little Dennis" as some of us remember him.

BTW, the media also ignored the Cleveland connection of Justice Scalia. he got his private practice experience at Jones, Day, which is one of the largest law firms in the country and one that is hard wired to the GOP. Jones, Day partners have had cabinet level positions in several GOP administrations. The media (and even the net) fails by failing to go beyond the Beltway.