Why "Swing" is the BEST jazz line?

Right! I love swing music. The newer swing is alright - but the old stuff is the best. I wish I could play an instrument - can't - but I can dance... my brother and I used to dance professionally to the old stuff. Those were good times.

Well, you won't get no argument from me there, although i thought that Django was a jazz guitarist? Louis Prima was a heck of an entertainer and surely had his ear to the winds of time which is why he had great staying power. Gene Krupa, shucks, he played some mean drums and Ella could sing and scat like no one's business. But then again, Duke was a great composer and band leader; so was Count Basie; If it wasn't for the talents of Fletcher Henderson, band leaders like Benny Goodman wouldn't have the music it needed to keep swinging. And what about Billie? how can you forget Billie Holliday?

I certainly agree about Ella; she's in my opinion one of if not the greatest female Jazz or popular singer of all time.

You're right, but you should admit also that: - Nobody sings like Joni Mitchel - Nobody plays the drums like Billy Cobham or Tony Williams - Nobody is as happy and enterteining like Dizzy Gillespie - Nobody has the pitch of James Brown - Nobody plays the sinthesizers like Joe Zawinul - Nobody is more vigorous than Jaco Pastorius Right? Fusion is good sometimes. Jazz has no limits and all the Jazz inventions are beauty.

I agree. I have some on my iPod. My Mom & Dad used to win jitterbug dances to the big bands that came thru Ft. Worth in the late 40's. My dad's favorite was Sarah Vaughn. I also have other stuff on my iPod I find just as engaging, only different. Joe Sample, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Al Jarreau, Dave Weckyl, Larry Carlton, Miles, SRV etc... There's room in my book & iPod for all of them... To me they're all great...

Right. I was going to try to split hairs and argue about it but you've stated your position very convincingly. So I agree!