There is a current fad about "world music" when in fact the history of American Jazz has always included world

influences . . . what do you think?

Well.........

The "fad" of World music date to at least the mid 1960s and the Elektra records Nonesuch Explorer seriesof albums.

Jazz music, on the other hand, has not always included world influences. This is why it is often (erroneously) referred to as Americas only original art form. The evolution of Jazz involved other purely american forms such as blues, ragtime, etc. Apart from a very few experimentations with classical music, jazz did not begin widely incorporating "world" influences until, coincidentally, the mid 1960s, primarily as a result of the civil rights movement's increasing awareness of other black peoples, and the popularity of folk music.

Well, sure there've been plenty of African & South American influences in the past, but its only in the last 10-15 years or so that Icelandic or Japanese, or Tibetan or Pakistani music has had much exposure in America, I think, let alone influence.

My question is, what isn't world music?
I guess we could record the background radiation, or something else from space and call it space music. But to me, Britney Spears is as much world music as anyone from Africa. World music is a phrase which sprung from the mind of an unimaginative and uninformed marketer. It's a way of saying something without really saying anything.

What does it matter anymore. Anyone whos interested in jazz now is either historian or 110 years olds. This is coming from a professional jazz saxophonist. Be happy people are still playing instruments all together. If there is a fad or a better way people are going for it. All western music in the 20 century through the evolution of music itself is a subsidary of 'jazz'. As result of technological advances and the '60's, "pop" culture was born. Pop culture is what drives economies through purchases of clothing music computers and the like. Other countries have developed to rival the 1st world countries in almost about everything they do so. Basically there are too many direct and indirect factors as to why world music is a fad, the biggest being you can dance to world music.