Genre guide

Jazz.
The sound of America improvising.

Jazz emerged in New Orleans at the dawn of the 20th century, born from the blues, ragtime, and the brass-band tradition of African American communities. Built on improvisation, swing, and the constant conversation between players, it evolved with astonishing speed - through swing, bebop, cool, modal, and free jazz - reshaping itself almost every decade. From Louis Armstrong to Miles Davis to John Coltrane, jazz turned spontaneity into high art and became one of America's greatest contributions to world culture.

From the genre's founders to the names still being discovered.