Jazz, one of America’s great art forms, has a decorated history in Boston. Charlie Parker performed here in the early '50s. Clubs from the Hi-Hat to Savoy Café lined the streets. And Miles Davis resuscitated his career here in 1981, playing a string of sold-out shows.

Sue Auclair helped coordinate Davis' return. She described the moment she broke the news to Eric Jackson, who spearheaded decades of radio programming at GBH: "I said, 'You're not gonna believe this but Miles is coming to Boston.' I told him the details, he cut the music midstream — which no one ever does — and he announces this. ... We sold the thing out four nights."

But the prevalence of jazz in Boston is not what it once was. From a change in culture to a lack of clubs and gentrification, Auclair and other Under the Radar guests discussed the past, present and future of jazz in Boston.

Tessil Collins, host of the Jazz Gallery at GBH, laments today's lack of dedicated jazz venues.

"When you look at these places, though, you're talking about playing jazz at a restaurant ... you're having a meal, people are talking, and there's a band over here in the corner doing background music," he said. "It's unfortunate that we have to settle for that."

Gentrification and "nightclub apartheid" has impacted the scene as well, says George "Chip" Greenidge Jr., founder and director of the nonprofit Greatest MINDS.

"12 years ago [I told a Boston Globe editor], 'Boston has this feeling where it's called nightclub apartheid.' ... You know, people of color are usually relegated on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and Friday, Saturday, Sundays will be given to, pretty much, white people," he said. "... So, we do have to talk about gentrification, we do have to talk about space and place and where people feel comfortable."

Greenidge said there used to be more affordable entertainment options. Now, he says, there are few places to just "sit and enjoy yourself."

GUESTS

Sue Auclair, longtime jazz promoter and president of Sue Auclair Promotions, a Boston-based PR and marketing firm servicing the arts, entertainment and media industries

Tessil Collins, host of The Jazz Gallery & managing producer of Jazz 24/7 online Radio at GBH

George “Chip” Greenidge Jr., founder and director of the Greatest MINDS, a nonprofit that works with young students and professionals to become civic leaders