Actually my point revolved around what a definition of pop music might be. That is where the idea of jazz guys playing the HS/College circuit prompted me to reflect on exactly what these definitions mean.
To me pop music is music that is arranged from existing scores or written for some purpose other than artistic expression.
For instance would you call Madonna pop music? I don't know; I don't listen to it, but it is apparent to me that she in her own way was a creator.
Now back when; Lawrence Welk and Guy Lombardo created dance bands that were specifically designed to have less intensiveness and more accesibility for the purpose of dancing where the music does not intrude on that purpose. So does that make them innovators? Artists?
Of course they are less than stellar in those departments; but both leaders hired only the best session guys around.
Atie Shaw left the music business with a bad feeling; he felt it had become too commercial and said so in print then refused to play. But he was one good clarinet player.
So if an artist is obscure and exists in a niche genre'; but can play well; then what are they?I used to see a lot of the Ska bands at a place called the Funky Fish and also at Downtown. It is really good music to hear live; but it deosn't travel well into the home venue. On record it sounds flat. Really is a live art.
The Specials come to mind; I like their sound.