Brickboo...you have really showed an admirable understanding of the facinating
music loosely called "jazz". The fact that you and other members know of Jamie (I met him in the early 60's in New Albany, Indiana) and have referenced the work of the "jazz gods" in your post tells me that pulling off jazz improvisational performances would be a "piece of cake", given the right situation.and the chance to develop. I'm lucky to be a part of a group that does just that. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of work, and several of the other players are like great jazz musicians of the past...drugs...alcohol problems...poverty, etc.The big question is...is it worth it? In the early 60's, Ray Brown introduced me to mnny of the guys playing in jazz clubs in L.A.like the ones you rferenced. Except for Ray, who was a lifelong hero to me, most were bitter, broken men. Ray said, "if you dedicate your life to playing jazz, you will probably play yourself OUT of a job!" Jazz players get so far into their craft that they blame the public for not understanding and appreciating their work. The average listener hasn't spent 10 hours a day for 15 years learning the fine points of the art form. Appreciating jazz is an acquired taste.

A lot of what makes a great jazz musician is
appreciation of the form and "attitude". It may not be the right decision for any of us to play jazz to the exclusion of all other
(better paying) types of music.

But when it comes to attitude and understanding, you, Terry and Eddie have NAILED IT!

Best regards.

Russ