Jazz, secure, shrugs off "joke" threat

Too hip to be rattled by ignorant, idle, defensive -- and of course, revealing - threats, the greatest living musicians are basking in hard-earned recognition and producing inspiringly energized, not necessarily mellow music. Undeterred by Live Nation-like commercial disdain, jazz festivals are thriving throughout North America under nominally non-profit organizations run by a coterie of canny impresarios. Jazz clubs -- not only in NYC, I saw it in Chicago, too -- are hosting eager audiences, maybe because the cheap buck has lured international tourists. But the buck's not cheap Canada, which is also promoting jazz. Jazz is always endangered, but right now it's in high bloom.