Jazz is a genre of music.

Jazz originated in the United States at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. It was born in the southern port city of New Orleans. Its musical roots come from blues and ragtime. Jazz pays attention to improvisation, is based on the shuffle rhythm with swing characteristics, and is a combination of black African culture and white European culture.

Black music in the Americas retains a lot of African characteristics, obvious rhythmic features, and the characteristics of collective improvisation. This tradition was combined with the music—mostly vocal—of the new settlement, and the result was not just a new sound but an entirely new form of musical expression.

Extended information

By the late 1880s, black brass bands, dance bands and concert bands appeared in most southern cities in the United States. At the same time, black music in the northern United States tended toward European styles.

During this period, Ragtime began to take shape. Although ragtime is primarily played on the piano, some bands have begun playing it as well. The golden age of ragtime was approximately from 1898 to 1908, but its time span was actually very large and its influence was endless.

In 2000, it was discovered again. The new "Ragtime" is characterized by charming melody and extensive use of syncopation, but its blues factor is almost gone. Ragtime is closely associated with early jazz, but it is certain that ragtime has a more stable rhythm.

The most famous composer of ragtime is Scott Joplin (1868-1917). Other famous ragtime masters include James Scott, Louis Chauvink Eubie Blake (1883-1983), Joseph Lamb, etc. Although the latter is white, he completely absorbed the connotation of this music form.