A genre to call his own

Categories in Music

I've always been annoyed and confused by the need to categorize different kinds of music. I suppose that when one is talking about a certain artist and another is unfamiliar with them, it helps to put their music in context. I just think we've taken it to the point of absurdity.

When I'm talking with someone who is not familiar with jazz at all, and I tell them I play jazz, I have no idea what concept they have of that music. Usually I go into a description of the specific kind of jazz I play and explain the style and feel.

I guess my issue is with the opposite of this: trying to categorize musicians that don't fit the mold. When someone asks me what kind of jazz I like I don't beat around the bush – I tell them flat out what artists I'm listening to, what period of their lives I'm into, and even what records specifically.

To me the subcategories in music seem like a huge waste of time. We can just say who we dig. How's that for a specific category?

I'd like to know what everyone else thinks about this subject.