I am a bit peeved that, given this is an American forum, with many American musicians, musicologists, and and others who have studied, and understand this stuff fairly exhaustively, we are expected to take direction from across the pond types whose enthusiasm surpasses their expertise.

I don't want to get you into yet another slanging match, M.Ted (you seem to be involved in enough already). But your remarks above are objectionable, as they imply that people outside the USA are not qualified to contribute to this discussion simply because they are 'across the pond'.

Given that this discussion is about 'trad jazz' (a UK term I believe, not normally used in the USA AFAIK), I don't see how you can justify your remarks. I think you should apologise to all non-US readers of this thread.

And nobody is 'directing' anyone - where did you get that idea? This is a discussion open to all, in the spirit of Mudcat.