Jazz subjects are usually touchy because those that prefer the genre are usually a little peeved that it's not a popular genre. I think this is especially so with older people that like and play jazz. They may remember that jazz was very popular until Rock and Roll came along. It's a little bit like the "sour grapes" feeling that people have for the demise of 80's hair bands and glam rock. If it's your favorite kind of music, then you're more sensitive because most other people don't like it as much as you do.
What's very interesting to me is that although jazz is one of the very few uniquely American art forms, jazz aficionados from all countries can get just as upset if someone puts down the genre. It's improvisational nature and sometimes less than obvious rhythms mean than most people have to try harder to be better at it or understand it than most popular forms of music. That larger emotional investment tends to make people more protective over it.
I have noticed that there a fewer jazz snobs out there lately. Or if not, they are less vocal about it.
Watch now as I make another shameless comparison of jazz to glam rock. Both genres require you to play less conventionally than other popular styles. In jazz, if you need to be able to trade fours, play over the bar line, develop a strong swing beat and learn how to solo to excel in the genre. You have increased demands on you as a performer in Glam Rock. You've got to have the hair, be willing to wear the makeup, tight pants, blazing guitar solos and ridiculous drum tricks and solos; all in a way-over-the-top flamboyant style. You can't just stand there and lay it down like Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Secretly guys like Steamer know this and that the similarities between Modern Jazz Quartet and Poison are numerous. It would make anyone a little testy.
Uh oh!
Anticipating thread explosion.