Originality is Still Possible

Just came across an interesting article in the latest Jazz Education Journal: "The Lost Tools of Jazz Improvisation." "Today, much of the originality of an improvisers' voice is missing. It has been replaced by a template," author Jason Squinobal writes. He gives a short history of jazz education and says that we've become too enamored with harmony and chord/scale relationships. But here's the best line: "...the majority of true innovators are all close to, or over, the age of forty, with the exception of Charlie Parker." Phew. I still have time...