I love playing the American songbook but in todays world there are more choice than ever in music.

To a young up and coming entertainer that looks like a lot more fun than sittng down and learning scales and chords for a few years. Then trying to play to a young crowd with limitied Styles.
Kids toady have short attention spans and its got to be immediate satisfaction.
Its their way of expression as much as a sax player in a big band ripping off a hot solo. Times change.