This Rifftides post has an interesting look at swing’s place in jazz. I don’t know that I agree with every word that Ramsey writes, but it is a subject that could stand our attention.
Rifftides: Doug Ramsey on jazz and other matters
If Christian Scott is “writing the definitive style guide” for his generation of jazz musicians and his style continues to develop around hip-hop rhythmic values, I am disturbed about where jazz may be headed. In the final analysis, swinging is what differentiates jazz from other music. It will be a challenge to keep paying attention if swinging is phased out. So far, jazz has absorbed and integrated its influences, not been consumed by them. The optimist in me assumes that it will not be dominated by rap and hip-hop.