I tapped my foot every time I saw Brötzmann play. Just saying, doesn't add anything to the "debate" I admit, beyond the old trope of letting each person enjoy the music they enjoy in the way they do and avoid generalisations.

I'm really hoping for an all-small(ish) market Series  I don't know if Seattle or Toronto qualify, though?

Most "avant-garde" music is predictable to one degree or another. That's not at all demanding, it's quite the opposite!

"demanding music"? You mean like avant garde stuff? I consider myself a pretty good listener and I don't like most of it. Fun? No way. I'd much rather listen to music that gets me to tap my feet rather than grind my teeth. If a soloist is just screeching at full volumes a la Brotzmann, I do not like it. Noodling? Maybe? We're picking nits and choosing to stand our ground over the definition of noodling? Really? We already lost one regular visitor (Bertrand) over this thread. Are we shooting for more?