“Jazz is more than just music, jazz is an attitude to life” (Charlie Parker)
Typical characteristics of jazz are the special rhythmic, such as the offbeat, improvisation and interaction.
What is jazz? To this question the famous Louis Armstrong answered indignantly: ’If you still have to ask that... Shame on you.’
After all, the music style with African-American roots, which originated in New Orleans, had long since established itself.
Due to racial segregation, an original, Afro-American jazz, a ’white’ style developed: Dixieland. In Chicago jazz the saxophone became more important. Internationally, jazz became most popular through Swing in the 30s. Plagued by the economic crisis, many solo artists formed big bands, like Benny Goodman. From the piano, Duke Ellington and his Big Band enthralled the audience. The French guitarist Django Rheinhardt was the most famous representative of ’Gypsy Jazz’. Since mainly stringed instruments like violin, double bass and guitar were used, he also carried the name ’string jazz’. Charlie Parker is regarded as one of the creators of Bebop, which is the basis for modern jazz. The tempo becomes faster, the harmonies more complex and there is more rhythmic freedom for drums and bass.
Besides Louis Armstrong Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday are among the most famous jazz singers.
Other influential jazz musicians were John Coltrane and Miles Davis.
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