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Culture of Jazz

Unlike most music genres, jazz primarily focuses on improvisation. It is about freedom, movement and individual expression. This new style of music influenced what turned into Rap, R&B, pop and soul. Even today, genres like EDM incorporate a lot of improvisation.

What is improvisation?

Over the years, jazz became a fundamental part of American popular culture. Its most notable effects were on literacy and fashion as well as racism and sexism. It was the origin of jazz poetry which combined poetry and music for the first time in a demonstration of rhythmic improvisation. Its popularity influenced fashion in the Roaring 20s and beyond. It provided motivation and opportunity in the Women's Liberation Movement that rebelled against the current set standards of society. Above all, it elevated the status of African Americans in society with many of its most famous musicians being African American. What was once considered “bottom culture” rose to the top for the first time in American history.

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Joe Goodacre