It’s hard to mistake jazz for any other kind of music. It’s an exhilarating rhythm that is intertwined with lively passion, soul fulness, and human emotion, and it’s hard not to love it. That’s why there are millions of jazz fans in the world and many talented performers as well. New albums are constantly coming out, and you can buy jazz CDs at any specialized online store.
The uniqueness of this genre is that it is very easy to identify jazz, but it is almost impossible to describe it in words. In addition, jazz melodies, although they are united by similar motifs, are never the same. Jazz doesn’t stand still, it keeps moving forward, it flows like a strong river. New currents, combinations and characteristics emerge. What was popular a couple of years ago can easily lose its relevance today.
Jazz is usually based on improvisation, which means that performers create melodies spontaneously, without prior preparation. This gives the music an element of spontaneity and unpredictability, making each performance unique.
What is jazz and what are its characteristics?
Jazz appeared in America not long ago, if we compare it to other areas of music. It happened in the early twentieth century. Since the founder was the African-American population, the melodies were based on their working songs and rhythms of dancing. The genre emerged suddenly, with most of it being improvisations influenced by the West and Africa.
Improvisation is the most important feature of jazz tunes. Any artist who performs in this style must be able to improvise. And it doesn’t matter at all whether he’s performing solo or as part of a band or orchestra.
The second main feature is polyrhythm. It creates a sense of weightlessness and constant motion. Jazz does not put the musicians in a strict framework. It is as if they are playing a light melody, fully enjoying and giving themselves to the process. The listener can get the impression that the artist performs not for the audience, but for himself.
Naturally, jazz is not devoid of certain rules, but they are quite vague, and professional musicians can afford to ignore them. The most important thing in this genre is the freedom of expression and the ability to improvise.
Jazz is a very special music that has gained millions of fans around the world. It’s hard to describe, but easy to identify. If you haven’t listened to it yet, be sure to check out some of the famous jazz tunes.
The Most Famous Jazz Songs
In jazz, as in any other musical genre, there are compositions that simply cannot be avoided. Some of the most famous are:
“What’d I Say.” This is a unique composition by the world famous blind performer Ray Charles. It is interesting that the song, which is known in all corners of the world, appeared quite by accident. Ray recorded it during a tour to fill a pause at a concert. It was this composition that became the origin of such a trend as soul.
“Hello, Dolly!” The author of this composition is Jeri Herman. It was created for the musical of the same name. It gained its popularity and Grammy statuette only after it was sung by the genius Louis Armstrong.
“New York, New York.” The song everyone associates with its singer, Frank Sinatra. It was first sung by the talented singer Liza Minnelli, and only then was it sung by the famous jazzman.
Modern jazz is a combination and intertwining of many different genres in music. Performers today can afford to play a variety of styles without adhering to any standards. Jazz, like a sponge, absorbs melodies, “trying them on” and adapting them to suit itself. It can include timeless classics as well as youth hip-hop or pop trends.
Final Words
Jazz is a genre that does not stand still. It is constantly evolving, encompassing new styles and tunes. If you are interested in this musical direction, be sure to follow the latest news and releases. You can buy jazz CDs at any specialized online store. You can also find many compositions available for free downloading on the Internet.Try to listen to as much jazz as possible to get a feel for this amazing style of music!
