A guide to the various genres and stylistic movements within jazz.
Emerging in the early 1960s, Post-Bop served as the sophisticated synthesis of bebop’s structure and the avant-garde’s freedom. This guide explores how pioneers like Miles Davis redefined the boundaries of harmony and rhythm to create a modern mainstream.
An exploration of how secular Cuban dance traditions, from the street-level energy of Rumba to the sophisticated structures of Danzón, fundamentally reshaped the rhythmic architecture of American jazz.
Explore Afro-Cuban jazz through its origins, clave and rhythmic foundations, influential collaborations, major musicians, and essential recordings.
Explore the major jazz styles, from New Orleans and swing to bebop, modal jazz, fusion, and global traditions, with comparisons and practical listening cues.
Explore cool jazz and hard bop through their shared bebop roots, distinctive sounds, major musicians, landmark recordings, and a practical listening guide.
Explore modal jazz through its history, musical ideas, and essential recordings, with clear explanations of modes, harmony, improvisation, and listening techniques.
Explore free jazz and the avant-garde through their history, major musicians, musical approaches, and key recordings, with practical advice for new listeners.
Learn what jazz is, how improvisation, swing, blues, and musical interaction shape its sound, and where to begin listening to its varied traditions.
Discover how jazz fusion brought together jazz, rock, funk, and electronic sound through its history, major musicians, instruments, and essential recordings.
Explore vocal jazz history through its major singers, the art of interpretation, scat and vocalese, ensemble interaction, and essential listening examples.