Shepherdlass,

I agree that a living tradition develops (probably the definition of a living tradition is that it does develop) but I think it has to develop within set boundaries (or a least in a progression of small steps not giant leaps). As long as people listen to more than one sort of music I don't think they can help but be influenced by what they've heard (for example the mixing of African music and western music - keys, tunings etc - merged to create what became rag time, jazz etc). In a sense all the branches of western music are feeding off each other all the time.

To me traditional English music includes stuff written in England by English people or (like the English themselves) has come from abroad and happily set up home here and has fitted in with our ways. I certainly don't demand birth certificates and passports:-)

It has occured to me many times that many of the non-jazz musicians that like and enjoy playing it are excellent musicians in their own fields. It's like they can understand the language of jazz that just passes me by.