History

History of American jazz

The history of American jazz music is fascinating. First of all, African American developed jazz through a blend of European harmonic configuration and African tribal rhythms. Jazz influenced ragtime and blues and was influenced by them. Throughout its history, jazz was an improvised, instrumental music. How to define jazz? From New Orleans style, smooth jazz, to 1950s jazz songs, the immortal words of Louis Armstrong ring true: “If you have to ask, you’ll never know.”

However, creativity is the driving force of jazz. A jazz musician performs his own interpretation of the composition. Unlike classical music where the performers play the music the same way every time.