The History of Jazz

JazzmanJazz is a particular genre in music.  This took roots in the urban communities of the Southern United States during the early 20th century. Afro-American musicians, influenced by both the African rhythmic beat and European melodic sound, were the very first to experiment it and to develop it into a distinct musical form.

Since then, however, jazz artists have integrated more of the popular American music.  The result of which is the creation of the only musical genre that can be claimed as America’s best and unique contribution to the music world.

There have been many theories about how the term ‘jazz’ came to be and how it was related to the music.  Jazz artists of the early years claim that ‘to jazz’ was an explicit expression of the intent to have sex.  This owed to the fact the term ‘jazzbow’ then referred to a person who can easily have his way with women. 

On the other hand, linguists assert that the term may have come from the times of the old English such as Shakespeare or even older such as Chaucer.  Still another theory is that the term originates from the US west coast although that is the farthest that its argument can go.  However, people nowadays seem not to care how the word originated.  As long as it refers with the good music that American truly call its own, the etymology no longer matters.

Since its inception, jazz music later branched out to more subgenres.  These developments were made as the music was introduced to other parts of the country.  The Dixieland in New Orleans was its original version in the early part of the 1900’s. 

It soon spawned the swing, which was performed by big bands, in the 1930’s.  Bebop became a hit in the mid-1940.  In the succeeding years, jazz was infused with Brazilian samba and the Afro-Cuban beat, which resulted into another variety, the Latin jazz. 

The 1970’s, which was the time of acid rock, acid jazz came into existence in the music industry. Since the 80’s until these contemporary times, jazz has blended with the R&B and hip-hop genre.  In fact, it has been infused also into modern techno-pop music, creating a synthetic sound, which is techno-jazz.

As American music has influenced much of the world’s music industry, so has jazz become a part of many countries’ music.  Its beat and sound has been incorporated to the unique melodies of dominant in a particular country, which led into a more acceptable sound for everyone despite the differences in culture.  Some musicians call it world music, a mixture of exotic and distinct local music and western jazz


Jazz History Tree Poster ~ Exclusive Euro Import ~ 27x39


Jazz History Tree Poster ~ Exclusive Euro Import ~ 27×39


$29.75


We are full time experienced sellers shipping every business day from our gigantic 150,000 poster warehouse. We have a passion for sourcing great posters at great prices. We strive for complete and total customer satisfaction and have so for over 30 years. Thank you for supporting our independently owned and operated business….

12x18 Cuban jazz posterBlack couple dances Rock Cool!461


12×18 Cuban jazz posterBlack couple dances Rock Cool!461


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We take pride on repairing, restoring and preserving these images for generations to come. We digitally remove tears, tape, library stamps as well as pen and glue marks.(click here for before and after) Once the image is clean, the high resolution scanned image is sharpened and the colors are enhanced to bring out the artwork original brilliance without loosing its vintage look. Finally they are p…

12x18 Cuban posterElegant pretty Classy Lady n Jazz Bar 244


12×18 Cuban posterElegant pretty Classy Lady n Jazz Bar 244


$9.99


We take pride on repairing, restoring and preserving these images for generations to come. We digitally remove tears, tape, library stamps as well as pen and glue marks.(click here for before and after) Once the image is clean, the high resolution scanned image is sharpened and the colors are enhanced to bring out the artwork original brilliance without loosing its vintage look. Finally they are p…

Jazz - A Film by Ken Burns [VHS]


Jazz – A Film by Ken Burns [VHS]


$37.87


Accompanied by a menagerie of products, Ken Burns’s expansive 10-episode paean, Jazz, completes his trilogy on American culture, following The Civil War and Baseball. Spanning more than 19 hours, Jazz is, of course, about a lot more than what many have called America’s classical music–especially in episodes 1 through 7. It’s here that Burns unearths precious visual images of jazz musicians and ha…

Great Books: The Great Gatsby (Assignment Discovery)


Great Books: The Great Gatsby (Assignment Discovery)



The most widely read and widely translated American novel of the 20th century, The Great Gatsby explores the uniquely American possibilities that allow individuals to remake themselves. Rich with imagery and symbolism, this book reflects not only F. Scott Fitzgerald, but also the world of the Roaring Twenties. Even today, its focus on the worship of money and power, of youth and success, make it a…


Instrumental Classmates: In Tune With Strings (Introduction to the String Family of Instruments)


Instrumental Classmates: In Tune With Strings (Introduction to the String Family of Instruments)


$35.00


(Video only, No Booklet) Instrumental Classmates is a fun, fresh entertaining new video series designed to inspire students to pick up a musical instrument and learn to play it. In Tune With Strings is your introduction to one of the most expressive groups of instruments. John PJ as he explores the string family of instruments through live performances, fun demonstrations, and fascinating historic…

Jazz : A Film By Ken Burns


Jazz : A Film By Ken Burns


$49.50


Traces the origins and history of jazz, focusing on the individual musicians who helped shape its development….

Jazz - A Film by Ken Burns


Jazz – A Film by Ken Burns


$99.98


Accompanied by a menagerie of products, Ken Burns’s expansive 10-episode paean, Jazz, completes his trilogy on American culture, following The Civil War and Baseball. Spanning more than 19 hours, Jazz is, of course, about a lot more than what many have called America’s classical music–especially in episodes 1 through 7. It’s here that Burns unearths precious visual images of jazz musicians and ha…

Jazz A Multimedia History (PC CD Boxed)


Jazz A Multimedia History (PC CD Boxed)



Are you Jazz wise? Take this melodic journey and discover the who’s and what’s of Jazz. Through the unique interaction this disk encourages, you will travel from the origins of Jazz to the vibrant electronic sounds of today. Read quotes and interviews from jazz musicians that will give you interesting insights into what the jazz scene is all about. See how early jazz became what it is today. Learn…


Jazz Perspectives Music Rom (Win)


Jazz Perspectives Music Rom (Win)


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Jazz Perspectives breaks new barriers! This Enhanced Audio CD features some of the most influential Jazz Artists of the 20th century. Join us for a Jazz Odyssey with Arts Hodes, Donald Byrd, Coleman Hawkins, Jimmy Forrest and others. Check out rare photographs, biographics, the unique segment “Reflections” featuring an audio interview with Bob Koeter, President of Delmark Records & much more! You …

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