The term jazz was a west coast slang word that was first used to refer to music in Chicago in about 1915. Jazz isn original African-American musical art form that first developed in the southern United States during the early part of the 20thcentury. While it bears some traces of European traditions it is distinctly West African in its core. This is evinced by the use of
Blue Notes ~ aka worried notes - a note or halftone that is sung or played at a lower pitch to express a feeling
Improvisation ~ incorporates, singing, acting, talking and reacting
Polyrhythms ~ two or more rhythms played concurrently.
Syncopation ~ unexpected stresses or pauses in the rhythm
Swungnote ~ aka shufflen ote - altered duration of notes
