What music history led up to the creation of jazz?

The creation and sudden popularity of jazz music is a result of the combination of European and African music styles and the new methods of getting music in general to the mass public. read more

Jazz exploded as a popular music in the 1920s. Several factors led to its rise. First, prohibition led to the rise of the speakeasy, which adopted jazz as its prime music. Also, the federal government shut down shut down Storeyville, the red light district of New Orleans where so many jazz musicians played. read more

Jazz had an impact on funk, to be sure. The Ohio Players, Kool & The Gang, Earth, Wind & Fire, as well as members of Parliament/Funkadelic, who are the pinnacle of the funk pantheon, all were jazz musicians before the funk. read more

Jazz wasn't born on a particular day, it was created over a period of time. It wasn't just one person or one race that was responsible for creating it. It was a meeting, and mixing, of the essences and emotions of many people, of many cultures. read more