We started combining the use of light and the use of theatrics and the use of as many art forms as possible, and it's still growing - that's the whole idea of it. ↗
Ragtime has about the same amount of respect as comics. And in a way they're similar art forms. Ragtime is highly compositional, and the emotion in the music is built in, whereas in jazz a lot of that emotion comes from the way it's performed. ↗
As long as there are musicians who have a passion for spontaneity, for creating something that's never been before, the art form of jazz will flourish. ↗