Jazz

Jazz is a group of musical styles that originated in the United States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The etymology and history of the term "jazz" is obscure and disputed, but not much less than the history and precise nature of the music itself.

Jazz first arose in New Orleans at the end of the nineteenth century out of a variety of black musical traditions, including ragtime, blues, spirituals, and marching band music. It was distinguished by (especially group) improvisation, and took over various elements of the earlier traditions, especially syncopation.

Sources and external links

• All About Jazz
  • "What is Jazz? Good question..." by Jason West
• "Jazz music" — BUBL Link
• A Passion for Jazz
• The Red Hot Jazz Archive — "A History of Jazz before 1930"
  • "The Origins of Jazz" by Len Weinstock