The Origin of Jazz

Jazz has no real definition. It is a unique blend of swing, blues, improvisation, and rhythm. The musical style referred to as jazz originated at the beginning of the 20th century by African American's living in the Southern United States. It came about mail due to African unity. By 1808 almost half a million Africans had been brought to America through the Atlantic Slave Trade. The way to unite them all, especially throughout the slave infested South, was through music. They incorporated African dances to drums and a call and response pattern yet, without the harmony. The violin and piano, among other various instruments, were later added into the mix. As a matter of fact, the instruments used in marching bands became the basic instruments of jazz. Jazz is still highly popular today among the city of New Orleans in Louisiana. Many of the early jazz performers and musicians played in venues throughout the city. The continual playing of jazz music throughout the ages has brought forth various types of music such as funk, soul, latin jazz, smooth jazz, punk, and more.

 References:

 Burns, Ken, and Geoffrey C. Ward. 2000. Jazz—A History of America's Music. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. Also: The Jazz Film Project, Inc.

 Collier, James Lincoln. The Making of Jazz: A Comprehensive History (Dell Publishing Co., 1978) 

Hersch, Charles (2009). Subversive Sounds: Race and the Birth of Jazz in New Orleans. University of Chicago Press