Jazz

Do you ever hear a sound that makes you want to dance. A tooting trumpet, a walking bass line, and a piano that goes plink-plonk-plink. That’s me. I’m the feeling that makes your toes tap inside your shoes and your shoulders do a little wiggle. I am a happy, surprising, and fun sound where all the instruments get to talk to each other. Sometimes I am soft and slow, and sometimes I am fast and loud. I love to make you feel happy and ready to play. I am a musical giggle.

Hello. My name is Jazz. I was born a long, long time ago, around the start of the 1900s. I was born in a warm, sunny city called New Orleans. I come from the amazing music of African-American communities. They mixed happy rhythms from Africa with the big sounds of marching bands to create something brand new and super fun. The best part about me is that I love surprises. Musicians who play me don’t always have a plan. They make up the music as they go along. This is called improvisation. It’s like telling a brand new story with your instrument every single time you play. It's a musical conversation.

From my home in New Orleans, I traveled all over the world. I hopped on boats and trains to make new friends everywhere I went. Today, you can hear me in big shiny concert halls and small, cozy clubs. I am the sound of freedom, creating new things, and playing together. I remind people that the best things happen when we listen to each other and add our own special voice to the song. So next time you hear me, let your body move and feel the joy. I am Jazz, and I’m here to make the world a happier place to be.