Essential Features
As we noted in our introduction, jazz is a uniquely American art, a marvelous blending of African Americans' musical heritage with that of European Americans. Throughout the history of jazz, African Americans have been the major innovators, furthering its evolution by creating new jazz styles. Yet, the music has drawn practitioners from all quarters, not only in America, but around the world.
So... what is jazz? In truth, it is a music that remains difficult to define. When asked to define it, jazz great Louis Armstrong's response was quintessential: "If you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know."
With the variety of jazz styles that have developed over the last century, we might ask questions such as the following: What are the elements common to all of these styles? What makes it jazz? Many jazz musicians and scholars would identify three essential features:
- ImprovisationSpontaneous composition of music in the moment of performance., or performances that are made up on the spot by one or more of the players
- Rhythms that create a swing feelingA term used to describe the groove or rhythm of jazz music.
- A bluesy flavorA musical quality that suggests, or is reminiscent of, blues music. is present.
"Blues developed in the southern United States after the American Civil War (1861–65) and was largely played by Southern black men, most of whom came from the milieu of agricultural workers."
