Jazz Music

Do you hear that. It’s a happy, bouncy sound that makes you want to dance. A horn goes toot-toot-toot. A piano goes plink-plonk-plink. A big drum goes thump-thump-thump. The sound is full of wiggles and giggles and fun surprises. It makes your feet want to tap and your shoulders want to wiggle. The sound is me. I am a special kind of music. I am Jazz.

I was born a long, long time ago, in the late 1800s and early 1900s. My home was a warm, sunny city called New Orleans. I was created by wonderful African American musicians. They mixed together different kinds of songs to make something new and exciting. They took happy songs and thoughtful songs and put them together like a beautiful puzzle. The musicians played what they felt in their hearts. This is a special secret called improvisation. They didn't always need to read music notes from a page. They let shiny trumpets, sliding trombones, and singing clarinets help me tell my stories. It was like magic.

Soon, my happy sound traveled far away from New Orleans. I floated on boats and flew on the radio to places all over the world. People heard my rhythm and couldn't help but move their feet. I can be a fast song for a party or a slow, sweet song for a quiet moment. I am the sound of friendship and fun. When you hear me, you can wiggle, you can giggle, and you can share your feelings without using any words at all. I am always here to help you feel happy and connected to everyone around you.