Of all of the different musical styles that we have available to us, jazz is quite possibly the most misunderstood. Because of the diverse nature of jazz music, there is a lot of confusion as to where it actually came from. While originally born in New Orleans, United States in the early 20th century, jazz contains aspects of many different global cultures. From African, French, Caribbean and Italian roots, to German, Mexican, American Indian, even English, if you listen carefully enough, you can hear every one of these diverse cultures in almost any jazz song.
What Is Jazz?
So, what is jazz exactly? With so many different cultures coming together to create jazz music, it can be difficult to accurately describe it. To some, jazz is smooth and soulful, yet to others, jazz is exciting, energetic and improvisational. This is typically a result of the tremendous variety within jazz as it uses a rhythmic, forward momentum called swing, as well as bent or blue notes and call-and-response patterns in which a particular instrument, voice, or combination of both answers each other.
The Popularity Of Jazz
Since it was first developed near the banks of the Mississippi River, jazz music has grown in popularity and spread quickly throughout the world. This is partly because of the fact that most jazz musicians will try to create their own style and sound, giving something special to the listener. Jazz greats such as Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong, both trumpeters, will sound completely different, even when playing the exact same song. When you think about it, jazz music is all about taking something familiar and turning it into something new.
The Key Elements Of Jazz
While we know that jazz developed from a wide range of cultures including African, French, Caribbean, Italian and more, we also need to understand the forms of music the key elements of jazz came from. African-American musical traditions combined with a mix of ragtime, marches, blues and more created a music made specifically for dancing.
Today, jazz has evolved into a modern form of music which is listened to by both young and old in countries all over the world. There are jazz festivals just about everywhere you go and fans of jazz are helping to keep this great musical art alive and well for future generations.
Contact Nash Productions
To learn more about how to pursue your dreams and make a living as a performer, contact Nash Productions. If you are interested in creating a successful career in the arts, especially in the music industry, be sure to watch for Nash Productions’ upcoming documentary, ‘How to Make a Living in Jazz’.
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