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| Jazz is both a folk art and a fine art. It was developed in the United States in the early 1900's. Elements from traditional African music, Eurpopean classical music, and American popular song all blended together to create a totally new art form. It's exploring, inclusive character has produced a number of different styles and "schools," from the speedy, angular lines of be-bop and the laid-back, mellow harmonies of cool jazz to the abstract, atonal forays of free jazz and the earthy grooves of soul jazz. What ties it all together is a foundation in the blues, and an emphasis on group interplay and unpredictable improvisation. Highly valued the world over, jazz continues to evolve and transform itself, while maintaining the traditional approach, values and spirit of the earliest days. |
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Jazz integrates the whole picture, the long view and the moment. Jazz is communion with the cosmos. Jazz is also way, way . . . beyond words. |
"Jazz is wicked cool." Sam Congdon, age 7 |
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Jazz is a bright, starry, infinite night, a life-long adventure.
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| "Jazz
is something that we, as Americans, really ought to embrace. It's sometimes
an acquired taste, but it's worth putting the effort in. Jazz is such a
rich universe." |
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