Jazz Music
Jazz Music
A few things in this world are uniquely American, and jazz is hands-down one of the best and most defining of those things. Its history is rooted in the mix of cultures found in New Orleans and is rich in history, language, and community.
While jazz embodies many sub-genres today, at its inception, jazz was born from a mixture of ragtime and blues. The gospels and hymns of the area, the work songs of the slaves, and the popular New Orleans brass bands all heavily influenced its sound, and you can still hear and feel those influences when you listen today. These cultural and musical elements turned jazz music into an anthem of liberation and freedom.
The amazing thing about jazz is that as it continues to branch out and grow, it maintains deep roots in its heritage. And as much as it subtly shifts with technological advancements and fusion with other genres, jazz still holds a distinct sound.
In this article, we’ll dive into jazz music’s nitty-gritty. What makes jazz, jazz? Who shaped it? Why is it so important to continue educating others and sharing this heartstring-pulling genre with the world?
Why Jazz?
All genres of music add value and heart to the world of art and self-expression. When it comes to connecting individuals from all different places, cultures, and worldviews, music is the international language that crosses boundaries and vocalizes feelings. It gives sound to the unspoken and shares stories that should not be forgotten.
What’s unique about jazz music, however, is that it has influenced history, culture, and other genres in ways that can’t be overstated. Jazz transcended the normal limits of music and survived, creating a legacy of energy, history, and culture. This soulful music connects, instructs, and expresses in ways that resonate deep in your soul – causing laughter, smiles, tears, joy, and sadness. It is a rollercoaster of feeling and sound that you don’t forget.
Jazz Brings Us Together
In our society that praises individuality, it’s easy to forget how vital community is to our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Few things in this world can bring people together like music can—particularly live jazz music. Because of jazz’s enriching sound and deep heritage, it’s difficult NOT to find community at a live jazz event. The shared experience and adventure create an environment ripe for friendship and connection.


Cultural Significance of Jazz Music
Jazz music has a rich history rooted in diversity, not only in sound but also in its people and community. And many genres today (if not most) were influenced by jazz music. While jazz might not be everyone’s favorite genre, virtually everyone respects it, which is not seen in many other genres.
People from all over the globe participate in the culture of jazz music, whether dancing to the beat at a live jazz concert or performing on stage. This global influence and presence only adds to the flavor of jazz and touches the hearts of anyone willing to listen even for a few moments.
Because of its history, jazz is also an important symbol of freedom and a movement towards liberation and connection.
Key Artists in Jazz History
We can’t discuss key elements of jazz music without discussing the artists who have been fundamental to the development and spread of the genre. While this is not a complete or extensive list, here are some names you should know—artists who have shaped jazz music into what it is today, giving it its defining characteristics.
Miles Davis: Known for his improvisation and cross-over album Bitches Brew and improvisational album Kind of Blue, Davis had a unique style and tone on the trumpet. He was a true innovator and consistently pushed the boundaries of Jazz music.
Louis Armstrong: A foundational jazz musician, Armstrong was known for his trumpet solos and gravelly voice. Also key in establishing jazz as an improvisational art form, Louis had a magnetic stage presence and personality that allowed him to spread the love for jazz music easily.
John Coltrane: A saxophonist who played across several jazz subgenres, such as bebop, avant-garde, and modal jazz, Coltrane worked with Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. His deep spirituality and willingness to push boundaries further anchored Coltrane as a jazz legend.
Duke Ellington: Ellington was a composer, pianist, and bandleader who integrated blues, gospel, and classical styles while creating several jazz masterpieces. His performances at the Cotton Club in New York also helped bring jazz music into the limelight, shaping the future of jazz within mainstream culture.
Charlie Parker: Known for his unique approach to rhythm, harmony, and melody, Parker added fresh elements to jazz that influenced improvisation and complex melodies found today in the genre. While he is considered a pioneer in bebop, he also set the stage for modern jazz.
Ella Fitzgerald: A captivating performer known for her vocal dexterity, Fitzgerald was dubbed the “First Lady of Song.” Her talents solidified the love of jazz in the hearts of many. Anyone who appreciates “scat” singing has her to thank, as she pioneered this art form. She also recorded with other jazz greats mentioned here, such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.
Thelonious Monk: Jazz pianist Thelonious Monk innovated jazz music with dissonant melodies that pushed the limits of jazz music at the time. Now an essential element of jazz, this dissonance, along with his bold and eccentric personality and style, established Monk as a legacy jazz musician who had a lasting impact on the genre.
The Elements of Jazz Music
One common question people have (and even argue about) is what makes jazz music jazz. To answer this question, we look to key elements of jazz that are largely present in most jazz pieces. These elements include the instruments used and performance methods.
First, let’s discuss common instruments used in jazz. Most jazz pieces include the following instruments.
Drums: Drums play a large part in jazz’s sound as they tie together and set the song’s rhythm.
Bass: The bass guitar produces deep, booming notes. Some jazz bands even employ a double bass for a deeper sound.
Jazz piano or keyboard: Whether digital or classic, the piano or keyboard adds contrasting sounds to the heavier sounds of the other instruments.
Guitar: Perhaps not as synonymous with jazz as other instruments, the guitar often plays a vital role in jazz sound as in other genres.
Trumpet, Saxophone, and Trombone: These instruments are major aspects of jazz and have given it its distinctive, brassy sounds since the beginning.
Lead vocals: While there are plenty of jazz songs without lyrics, the lead vocals within jazz music give words to the stories being told through the music while adding another layer to the dynamic sound of the music.
While not all jazz artists incorporate all of these instruments at the same time, they are still distinctive and defining of the genre.
Other defining characteristics of the genre involve how these instruments are played.


Improvisation: This element is fundamental to jazz music! The ability to go slightly off-script or not have a script at all is self-expression and flow at its finest, showcasing true talent and soul.
Syncopation or Irregular beats: People are taught that music has rules. Jazz breaks those rules but does so in mind-blowing ways that take people on an adventure of sound.
Solos: Because jazz musicians are talented and know their instrument(s), not only are they able to improvise, they also add to the song when they have a moment to shine alone. There is nothing quite like a solo at a live jazz music event!
Call and Response techniques: As we’ve already mentioned, jazz is a sound and rhythm of connection. One way jazz does this is through call-and-response techniques – it’s a fantastic way to get everyone in the band or audience directly involved in the music.
Swing & Blue notes: As jazz was at least partially born from blues, the notes found in swing and blues are characteristically jazz.
Complex Chords: Even if you’ve never heard the sound of jazz, you can start to see that it is not simple music. It is as dynamic, layered, and vibrant as the people involved in its making.
Polyrhythm: Polyrhythm, as you might expect, is the layering of many different sounds and rhythms that might not traditionally go together; however, jazz has an amazing way of combining them to create amazing music.
Despite these unifying and identifying elements of instrumentation and method, you will always find someone who disagrees when giving a song a jazz label, particularly with fusion and contemporary jazz pieces. While there is nothing wrong with a healthy debate, we remind you that while labels carry some importance, it’s the music that moves your body and soul, not the label.
Key Events in Jazz Music
In addition to the key characteristics, there have been several defining events throughout the history of jazz music. Here are a few you should know about.
The Cotton Club, 1927
The New York Cotton Club was a hotspot for entertainment up until 1940. Black entertainers performed in front of white audiences, and after the opening performance of Duke Ellington in 1927, the popularity of jazz music and culture grew rapidly.
Other jazz legends also performed here, including Ethel Waters and Louis Armstrong. The Cotton Club helped solidify the jazz culture of live events and impromptu jam sessions in small venues. While the original club is no longer in existence, if you find a club with the same name, it’s a safe bet they’ll be showcasing jazz music.
Carnegie Hall, “Twenty Years of Jazz,” 1938
In 1938, mainstream love and admiration of jazz music was promoted by Benny Goodman’s concert at Carnegie Hall in NYC. This concert included a snapshot of Jazz music, which featured trumpeter Harry James and drummer Gene Krupa with arrangements by Fletcher Henderson. There was also a “jam session” during the concert, which gave attendees a feel for what authentic live jazz event experience entails.
Newport Jazz Festival, 1954
Undoubtedly, the Tucson Jazz Festival is an amazing live jazz event we’re proud of. However, the TJF and other stellar jazz fests have the Newport Jazz Festival to thank for this. Tagged as America’s ultimate live jazz event, the Newport Jazz fest in 1954 was the first annual American jazz festival.
This premier jazz event hosted roughly 15,000 fans and included performances by Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, among other well-known jazz artists both today and at the time. There was also an educational panel with fundamental jazz artists to teach others about the history, tradition, and culture of jazz music.
Mainstream Recognition, 1964
There’s a lot of debate over the value of a genre going mainstream, and many enthusiasts feel that when a genre goes mainstream, a piece of that genre’s soul dies. However, mainstream love of a genre promotes future opportunities to expand and continue the rich heritage of jazz.
While the underground subculture of jazz events continues through jam sessions in clubs off the beaten path, jazz music earned further mainstream recognition in 1964 when Thelonious Monk graced the cover of Time magazine.
The Institution of Jazz, 1991
The Lincoln Center is well known for its influence on creative arts. In 1991, the Lincoln Center started its Jazz Program under the guidance of artistic director, multi-Grammy Award winner Wynton Marsalis.
Importance of Education
Since the inception of jazz festivals in Newport, RI, education has been a key element of the jazz festival experience. Education is essential to continuing the heritage and understanding of jazz music. The delights of jazz festivals include not only the fun and excitement brought by the rhythm and sound but also the knowledge and respect that comes from learning about jazz history and fundamentals.
A central part of the Tucson Jazz Festival’s mission is to celebrate jazz’s important role in finding, creating, and exploring inspiration in music and life. In addition to celebrating jazz music through our enriching and entertaining jazz fest, the Tucson Jazz Festival is heavily involved in educating our youth so that the jazz tradition will continue for generations to come.
The Tucson Jazz Festival has programs for learning for people 5 years old and up. These opportunities include student performances, jazz artist residencies at public schools, and jazz history and cultural seminars for adults.


Our Role in Jazz
Here at the Tucson Jazz Festival, we not only love and appreciate jazz music, but we live and breathe it. Jazz is an important aspect of our growth and development both as individuals and as a community. Its rich history and culture are such a part of us that we can’t help but share that passion for jazz music with others.
Every year, the Tucson Jazz Festival brings people from all over the world together to bathe themselves in sound and experiences as they discover the fantastic venues, restaurants, and events Tucson offers.
When you attend the Tucson Jazz Festival, you do yourself a huge favor! The food, culture, education, and music is unparalleled.
Why Choose the Tucson Jazz Festival?
The Tucson Jazz Festival consistently attracts world-renowned jazz musicians and performers from across the globe. When you visit our festival, you will have the privilege of participating in live jazz events by award-winning jazz legends and emerging artists. You will enjoy a wide range of jazz styles, including Latin, fusion, contemporary, swing, and many others.
Our festival celebrates life and Tucson’s cultural vibrancy through jazz music and our local partners, who will bring you some of the best food and drink you’ve ever tasted!
As jazz music provides a great opportunity to connect with like-minded people, the Tucson Jazz Festival is the perfect place to meet others who share your passion for music. You’ll meet fellow jazz enthusiasts, engage in conversations about the performers and their music, and form friendships with musicians, artists, and other festival-goers. The festival atmosphere is an ideal place to experience all the pleasures in life while getting the reset you need to live life to its fullest.
The Future of Jazz
We’re so excited about the future of jazz! Through preserving and celebrating live events like the Tucson Jazz Festival to educating and continuing jazz traditions, we believe future generations will keep finding inspiration in this amazing genre.
With advancements in technology, fresh talent, and innovation, jazz music will be around for years to come!
Frequently Asked Questions
As you can see, jazz music is a truly special genre. If you are looking to experience jazz music up close and personal or if you’re looking to learn more about it, we at the Tucson Jazz Festival have you covered. Here are some common questions people ask about Jazz music.
What defines jazz music?
With Jazz music having so many sub-genres, you might start to get the idea that it’s hard to define. Some performers indeed spark debate; however, despite there being bebop, contemporary, fusion, swing, Latin, smooth, and many other jazz styles, a few defining threads unite the genre. Jazz music can be defined as a musical art form that uses the cornerstone characteristics of improvisation, syncopation, call and response techniques, swing and blues notes, complex chords, and polyrhythm.
The next time you listen to your favorite jazz album or attend a live jazz event like our Tucson Jazz Festival, listen for these elements that unite the wide variety of talented performers.
How can you tell if a song is jazz?
In addition to the defining elements such as improvisation, syncopation, and others listed above, many jazz songs will also employ the following instruments: drums, bass, jazz piano, guitar, trumpet, saxophone, trombone, and lead vocals. While this is more of a norm than a rule, it’s a good place to start when asking if a particular song classifies as jazz.
What is the significance of jazz music?
The significance of jazz music is perhaps part of what makes it difficult for some people to define. The jazz elements of improvisation and self-expression give jazz artists and fans opportunities to share stories and connect listeners to their heritage and community while being able to put words and sound to the feelings and energy in their hearts and souls.
In addition to jazz music itself and what it represents (freedom), there’s also its contribution to the history of music. Jazz music and its elements influence several genres and things that we see today.
What makes a song jazz music?
A song is typically classified as jazz if it includes key elements of syncopation, improvisation, polyrhythm, creative freedom, and the use of certain instruments such as trumpets, saxophone, drums, bass, keyboard, and guitar.
What is the meaning of jazz song?
A jazz song is usually defined as one that uses instrumentation, improvisation, story-telling, and unique approaches to performances and “jam sessions.”
What is the biggest jazz festival?
If you’re looking for the biggest jazz festival in the world, look no further than the Montreal International Jazz Fest in Canada.
This gigantic jazz event holds the Guinness World Record (2004) for the largest jazz festival. Each year, over 2 million attendees immerse themselves in an artistic environment supported by over 3,000 artists and 650 concerts.
While the jazz festival in Tucson isn’t quite that large, we pride ourselves in offering you the best that jazz has to offer throughout our beautiful and lively city.
What is the best jazz festival in the US?
While we are pretty partial to our festival here in Tucson, the most popular jazz fest in the US is the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in Louisiana. This live jazz event hosts roughly 400,000 attendees annually and showcases thousands of performers, tradespeople, and culinary artists.