The Origins of Jazz

Our culture can offer the world many unique things, but the one most recognizable to anyone, anywhere in the world is American jazz. If you thought it sounds weird saying American jazz and think it should just be "jazz", you're right! It is so widely recognizable across the world. In the early times before it was respected as a formal study in music, jazz was the music of the brothels, speakeasies, and gained the reputation of accompanying anything and everything improper or illicit. The elements that gave birth to the art form, such as African polyrhythms and slave field hollers, are the known foundations for this music. Ironically, jazz worked its way up into high society gatherings rather quickly! We have come to expect live jazz to be performed everywhere from a hotel lobby by a solo pianist to an entire concert hall by artisits who have achieved cult status. From its humble beginnings, jazz has become a force to be reckoned with, gains millions of new fans every year, and will be around until life as we know it ceases to exist.