To African Americans in the late nineteenth century, one literal sound of freedom was that of the military marching bands of the American Civil War. This music, combined with the Ragtime and blues styles that developed some time later, evolved to form one of the truly indigenous art forms of the United States. The "jas," or the Creole brothel, is thought to have been the birthplace as well as the namesake of the new sound of Jazz. Early traditional Jazz combined the complexity of Ragtime, the tight arrangement of marching band music, and the inventive, free spirit of the blues. It incorporated structured improvisations at its center while the band maintained a swing. The sound evolved dramatically throughout the twentieth century in various forms: from the New York City Bebop of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker to the Free Jazz of the Art Ensemble of Chicago; from the Fusion of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock to the Hard Bop of Art Blakey. But throughout Jazz's great explorations, it has kept improvisation at its center, and as such it has always remained a music of freedom.
Jazz Musicians: Miles Davis, Arturo Sandoval, Maynard Ferguson, Louis Armstrong, Woody Shaw, Freddie Hubbard, Russell Gunn, Wallace Roney, Wynton Marsalis, Chris Botti, Kermit Ruffins, Chet Baker, Erik Truffaz, Rick Braun, Philip Dizack, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Farmer, Al Hirt, Herb Alpert, William "Lee" Hogans, Don Cherry, Roy Eldridge, Dave Douglas, Astrud Gilberto, Sonny Rollins, Don Braden, David Sanborn, Billy Childs, Charles Mingus, Diana Krall, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Bob Berg, David "Fathead" Newman, Ben Webster, Art Blakey, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, George Benson, Herbie Hancock, Dexter Gordon, Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, Donald Byrd, Ornette Coleman, Max Roach, Gene Krupa, Jimmy Cleveland, Donald Malloy, Stan Getz, Clifford Brown, Alex Sipiagin, Corey Wilkes, and Harry Connick Jr.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ October 6, 2009
a modern (early 1900s) music style characterized by syncopation and dissonance.
contrary to popular belief, jazz is NOT playing any note with any chord. any note played with any chord can be explained. even if it is inexplicable, it just sounds good, which is what's really important.
the cool thing about jazz is that you learn all the rules and guidelines which apply to all the other genres...then you get to break them.
contrary to popular belief, jazz is NOT playing any note with any chord. any note played with any chord can be explained. even if it is inexplicable, it just sounds good, which is what's really important.
the cool thing about jazz is that you learn all the rules and guidelines which apply to all the other genres...then you get to break them.
by unusu-al January 21, 2005
by MusicMonk414 March 11, 2004
The absolute BEST genre of music out there. It is unappreciated by idiots who think the only music worth listening to is rock and rap. It's also the best music to play if you're a musician, because playing music is the only activity that involves every part of your brain, and jazz does this to an extent. It's also really fun to play and listen to.
If you're not sure if you like jazz, go and pick up a Basie or Ellington album and you'll see what I mean.
by OopBopShBam March 1, 2007
It is used to mean when you lowkey fuck with or you’re cool with a (noun) person, place, or thing.
It could also be used as another way to say the phrase look on the bright side.
It could also be used as another way to say the phrase look on the bright side.
1. You annoy me so much but jazz.
2. I hate this shirt but jazz.
3. The cookies are going to take awhile to bake but jazz.
2. I hate this shirt but jazz.
3. The cookies are going to take awhile to bake but jazz.
by Anelozo January 3, 2020
by beepbibop March 4, 2008
Jazz...the greatest musical genre there ever was, and ever will be. This music will always be the greatest. Jazz, along with Blues, and swing music, are all that is left of North American culture. Now, all that is left, is that shitty rap "music", if you even dare to call it that.
by John Callahan October 21, 2004