I agree completely. What also bugs me is when someone comes out to introduce a jazz concert and gives a fervent speech about how jazz is equal to classical music. A variation on this speech is that jazz is better than classical music. The person giving the speech always seems to shout, and to build to a mighty emotional climax when the jazz-classical music comparison is made. I always think, jazz and classical are not alike, and to compare the two head-on is foolish.
I have noticed that this jazz is greater than or equal to classical music speech is often given by someone raising money, or campaigning for public office.
Even in its more subtle form, I find this very embarrassing, embarrassing for jazz. It sounds like a cover for an inferiority complex. A number of Wynton Marsalis' comments on classical music and jazz really bother me in that respect. He talks as if he is on a mission to prove to the world that jazz can be as "serious" as classical music. He has even made statements to the effect that he only plays classical music for that reason, i.e. to gain more respect for jazz. The effect is just the opposite. Why put jazz on the defensive? It doesn't need to be. We have 100 years of jazz great music, much of it recorded. What else is needed?
Why should jazz be respected? Why should classical music? Why should Mbalax? Blues? Soul? Wassoulou? Reggae? Hip Hop? Gospel?
There's nothing intrinsic in any kind of music that should automatically induce respect.
Of course, one should respect the culture out of which it arises, but that's a different thing.
And a musician should be respected for trying to do whatever it is well, and that's another different thing.
MG