International Jazz Day

Today is International Jazz Day! When Louis Armstrong was asked what the definition of jazz was, he famously replied "If you've got to ask, you'll never know." Today is a worldwide day of celebration of jazz and its unique history.

Jazz originated at the beginning of the 20th century in the Southern United States. The official birthplace of jazz music is New Orleans, but Kansas City and Chicago also have similar claims. Jazz fuses together African and European musical traditions. It has a strong influence from West African traditional music. One expert said jazz differed from European music because it has "a special relationship to time, defined as 'swing' [and] a spontaneity and vitality of musical production in which improvisation plays a role". It is unclear exactly where the word “jazz” came from. Many believe it was California slang to refer to the new music black musicians were playing in Chicago around 1915. The new music quickly grew into a wide variety of styles and a cultural phenomenon. Blue notes, syncopation, and swing notes are all found in this style of music. There are many different sub-genres of jazz including early ragtime, swing, and bepop. Improvisation is also a large component of jazz; musicians often only start a song with one key and time signature from the bandleader.

   Today we have genres that include acid jazz and jazz funk. Jazz even influences hip-hop.

International Jazz Day was created in 1991 by musician D. Michael Denny at which time a statement was recorded by the U.S. Congressional Record to officially recognize this day. To enjoy International Jazz Day, sit back, relax, and listen to your favorite jazz tunes!