Origins: Early 20th century, New Orleans, Louisiana
Key Characteristics:
- Improvisation as a central element
- Syncopated rhythms and swing feel
- Complex harmonies and chord progressions
- Call-and-response between instruments
- Emphasis on individual expression within ensemble playing
Historical Context: Jazz emerged from the unique cultural melting pot of New Orleans, where African, European, and Caribbean musical traditions converged. The genre evolved through several distinct periods: Dixieland, Swing, Bebop, Cool Jazz, Hard Bop, Free Jazz, and Fusion.
Subgenres:
- Dixieland/Traditional Jazz: Early collective improvisation style
- Swing: Big band era with danceable rhythms
- Bebop: Complex, fast-paced improvisational style
- Cool Jazz: Relaxed, sophisticated approach
- Free Jazz: Experimental, avant-garde expression
Influential Artists:
- Louis Armstrong (Early Jazz/Swing)
- Duke Ellington (Big Band/Composer)
- Charlie Parker (Bebop)
- Miles Davis (Multiple eras)
- John Coltrane (Hard Bop/Free Jazz)
Cultural Impact: Jazz represented America’s first major cultural export and established the United States as a creative force in global music.