[Album] Is jazz considered mainstream?

Jazz in itself is not mainstream, but there are no genres that are entirely mainstream. That is a label that can only be applied to individual artists or groups. There is mainstream jazz and avant-garde jazz, just like all other genres.

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I don't understand why everyone keeps referencing Miles Davis as a "mainstream" jazz player. Miles was nearly out-jazz. His name is probably most recognizable among jazz greats, but that isn't an indicator of mainstreamness. He was a great player, but his appeal is generally limited to jazz fans. His playing was to hard-edged for crossover success other than crossovers to other subgenres.

Mainstream jazz is more like Norah Jones, Kenny G., or Alison Krauss. It would probably be labeled "adult contemporary" or some garbage by most people, but still has recognizable jazz features.

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It really doesn't make any sense to include funk in the jazz category, because then you'd have to include all of jazz's other derivatives, which is basically ALL MUSIC made after 1920 except maybe traditional blues.

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Originally Posted by Morrigan

While "underground", weirdo jazz does not have a lot of mainstream appeal, yes, it's still far more accessible than heavy metal, especially extreme metal and especially with the 40-year-olds+ generation.

Being a listener of both avant-garde jazz and extreme metal, I have to disagree. The harshest metal doesn't even come close to being as unlistenable and complex as experimental jazz can get. I do think though that jazz fans, on the whole, are willing to put more effort into understanding a piece than your average metalhead. This is when you get guys like John Zorn who just come along and fuck with both crowds.

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