Jazz

Jazz is one of America's greatest gifts to the world. It was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the early 1900s. Jazz mixes African rhythms, blues, and European harmonies into something completely new. One special thing about jazz is improvisation, which means musicians make up parts of the music as they play. Jazz can be smooth and cool, fast and exciting, or deep and soulful.

How Jazz Began

Jazz grew out of the music of African Americans in New Orleans. It blended African drumming, blues singing, church music, and brass band marches. Louis Armstrong was one of the first jazz superstars. He played the trumpet and sang with a deep, gravelly voice. Jazz spread from New Orleans to Chicago, New York, and then the whole world. It became hugely popular in the 1920s, a time called the Jazz Age.

Making It Up as You Go

In jazz, musicians often improvise. This means they make up music on the spot. They start with a tune, then each player takes a turn adding their own notes and rhythms. No two performances are exactly alike. Famous jazz artists include Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane. Jazz has also inspired other styles of music, from rock and roll to hip hop.

Fun Facts

• Louis Armstrong was nicknamed Satchmo, which is short for Satchelmouth, because of his big, wide smile.
• Ella Fitzgerald was known as the Queen of Jazz and could sing in a style called scat, using nonsense words instead of lyrics.
• Jazz musicians sometimes have cutting contests where they try to outplay each other in friendly competitions.

Did You Know?

Jazz was the first style of music where musicians regularly made up their own parts on the spot instead of playing written notes!