A beginner’s introduction to jazz music

Jazz music has a rich and evocative history. Its origins lie in African American communities in New Orleans during the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. As a musical style, Jazz generally consists of improvisation, swing and blue notes, and call and response vocals.

The Jazz Age

Jazz seriously kicked off during the 1920s, a period now commonly known as the Jazz Age. Across the United States, Jazz became one of the most popular forms of music and dance styles. However, classical musicians were not a fan of the style, viewing it as immoral and a form of unnecessary decadence, threatening established cultural values and traditions.

The biggest names

The world of Jazz has been blessed by a plethora of talented musicians and performers. Duke Ellington was the leader of a Jazz orchestra for more than six decades, and his reputation continued to rise following his death in 1974.

John Coltrane is another well-known star of Jazz. At just 19, Coltrane was learning the finer details of Jazz and subsequently became the master of perfectly composed Jazz music. Likewise, Miles Davis was another seminal figure from the Jazz era and was often at the forefront of many stylistic developments in the genre.