Do you think soft jazz makes for good ambiance music during lunch or dinner time?

He's a dweeb, most classical musicians are "black & white musicians" they have no ability, creativity or spontaneity to understand or play jazz. They can only read notes and play what's on a sheet of music. Jazz is a true american art form.

First of all I would tell your guest to jump back into the punchbowl for having the gaul of insulting your music tastes. Second I love jazz at meals - my family I think says oh brother but I think it calms the nerves. Classical is fine too but if your preference is jazz than you play your preference. I live in the west burbs of Chicago where I am very fortunate to have two great jazz stations on my radio - the smooth jazz or WNUA and the true jazz of WDCB. Both are also available on line. The purists will prefer the second link.

Well. Jazz is less complex than classical generally, very generally, because the length of the pieces are shorter and involve less musical themes and instruments. What should be the final choice is how it sounds to YOU. For example. I like older Micheal Jackson, a few one hit wonders, Metallica, Najee, Ladytron, other electronica/dance (ATB...), Beethoven, Mozart, baroque music, harpsichord, Jazz guitar (not piano), 80s New Wave music... it all can be different. As you move along and develop your musical tastes they can vary as well. Don't let an individual judge you by your music or let anyone pigeonhole you into only selecting certain kinds of music. He may be having a crabby day or going through a phase. Ask him 5 years from now if he still hates jazz. Who knows? Tastes change...

yes use piano jazz with candle light!

Yes, a good story to back you up. A jazz friend of mine while in university jazz course asked a prominent pianist - he was the best in his class , to come and play with his jazz band. When he came to play,everyone realized that he couldn't just play along (jam) nor had an ear to play music ad hoc. Unless it was written down and rehearsed this poor pianist was lost in a sea of music geniuses. Needless to say he didn't have the skill to play with the band.

On another forum someone who is studying classical composition made the comment that she hates jazz and there was much discussion about why: Check it out... http://able2know.org/topic/129350-1