Mark Henderson answered
The origins of Jazz music can be found in late 19th and early 20th century America. Jazz was formed when traditional African American work songs and blues came into contact with European music.
Jazz is also characterized by its "swing", which gives the genre its definitive groove. This swing is the most important African-based rhythmic technique to have endured in jazz music. Louis Armstrong once said of jazz's swing, "If you don't feel it, you'll never know it." It is the rhythmic momentum and backbone of any jazz song.
Jazz really started to take off in 1920s America, which became known as the "Jazz Age". This was in part due to the prohibition of alcohol from 1920 -1933, which resulted in illegal "speakeasies" (illegal alcohol selling establishments) that became the first stages upon which jazz was regularly performed, especially in New Orleans and Chicago.
Due to its association with the illegal sale of alcohol, jazz was attacked by the media for being immoral and decadent. A Princeton university professor once wrote of Jazz, "It is not music at all. It's merely an irritation of the nerves of hearing, a sensual teasing of the strings of physical passion." Jazz was also credited by the media with causing the death of a famous conductor. In fact, the man had suffered a heart attack due to natural causes.
Since the 20's Jazz has given birth to numerous sub and fusion genres.
Sub/Fusion genres of jazz
- Swing
- Bebop
- Afro-Cuban Jazz
- Dixieland
- Cool Jazz
- Hard bop
- Modal Jazz
- Free Jazz
- Latin Jazz
- Soul Jazz
- Psychedelic Jazz
- Jazz Funk
- Acid Jazz
- Punk Jazz
- Jazzcore
Jazz is also characterized by its "swing", which gives the genre its definitive groove. This swing is the most important African-based rhythmic technique to have endured in jazz music. Louis Armstrong once said of jazz's swing, "If you don't feel it, you'll never know it." It is the rhythmic momentum and backbone of any jazz song.
Jazz really started to take off in 1920s America, which became known as the "Jazz Age". This was in part due to the prohibition of alcohol from 1920 -1933, which resulted in illegal "speakeasies" (illegal alcohol selling establishments) that became the first stages upon which jazz was regularly performed, especially in New Orleans and Chicago.
Due to its association with the illegal sale of alcohol, jazz was attacked by the media for being immoral and decadent. A Princeton university professor once wrote of Jazz, "It is not music at all. It's merely an irritation of the nerves of hearing, a sensual teasing of the strings of physical passion." Jazz was also credited by the media with causing the death of a famous conductor. In fact, the man had suffered a heart attack due to natural causes.
Since the 20's Jazz has given birth to numerous sub and fusion genres.
Sub/Fusion genres of jazz
- Swing
- Bebop
- Afro-Cuban Jazz
- Dixieland
- Cool Jazz
- Hard bop
- Modal Jazz
- Free Jazz
- Latin Jazz
- Soul Jazz
- Psychedelic Jazz
- Jazz Funk
- Acid Jazz
- Punk Jazz
- Jazzcore