monitor) confirms that there are 4-5 times as many people again with a definable interest in jazz compared to those who go to an outside jazz event. The RSGB study indicates that as many people watch jazz on television or listen on the radio as actually attend an event.
Contrary to received wisdom amongst older jazz aficionados, the audience for jazz is not dying out. Perhaps we ancestor worshippers who talk breathlessly about the likes of Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk (plus a cast of thousands) are being replaced by people who just like the music without the hang up of devotion to its pioneers.
When tribute concerts are run, such as the recent series on Bill Evans by Terry Seabrook, the audience numbers are high but older – the same is true so that when the older giants of the music play, such as Dave Brubeck, their concerts are often sell-outs but the audience age profile is higher.
A reputable study by MORI published in 1996 which asked what types of music people enjoyed listening to showed jazz with 21% following, well behind chart pop (58%), easy listening (38%), rock and roll (36%), and a bit behind classical music (35%) , but at about the same level as reggae/indie/rock/folk/and country. It showed the usual male and upper social class bias.
What is interesting in this study is the fact that a very high proportion of those people saying they like jazz also like classical music (56%).
Jazz was only popular with the masses when it was linked with dancing. Most of the people attending the old jazz clubs danced (jived) as well. Jazz lost its dancers to rock and roll. To-day the chances are that it has a small but discerning audience, but the audience is larger than people think. It is just under promoted, that’s all.
Extracts from a highly reputable MORI study on music 2002:
Over half (53%) of the GB population have copied music recordings without paying to do so; which is illegal, although not strictly enforced. Music cassettes are the most often copied
(by 36% of the GB population), followed by CDs (copied by 24%).
The percentage of the GB music-buying public purchasing music from internet suppliers for postal delivery is set to grow three-fold - from just 4% to 12% - in the next 12 months.
Also, 7% of the GB music buying public say they would like to buy or rent music within the next 12 months by downloading it off the web.
33% of GB population attended in past 12 months .....theatre opera jazz or other concert
Proportion taking instruction for a musical instrument adults 4% children 22%
