The Story of Jazz

While some might consider jazz to be a dying music genre, let’s trace this unprecedented musical form’s rich history and global impact. Although jazz originated in the United States, through its travels over the years, its influence spread all over the globe, from its African American roots in New Orleans to Europe, Asia, and beyond

- JOHAN SORENSEN

The story of jazz began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when African-American musicians in New Orleans began to blend European harmony and instrumentation with African rhythms and improvisation. This fusion of musical styles created a new sound unlike anything that had been heard before, characterized by syncopated rhythms, intricate melodies, and spontaneous improvisation.

Through the touring of American jazz bands in Europe in the 1920’s and 30’s, jazz’s influence spread for the first time on foreign soil. It swiftly gained popularity in cities such as Paris, Berlin, and London, with European musicians mixing jazz into their music and developing distinct genre variants.