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Jazz is an entirely American style of music, apart from the bits that came from Africa and Europe, that originated in New Orleans during the early years of the 20th century. The first jazz reording was made in 1917 by the [[Original Dixieland Jazz Band]], who drew heavily on African-American influences, as well as the marching bands that were popular at the time. It combines African American music, ragtime, and the blues.  Jazz is typified by complex collective musical [[improvisation]].
 
Jazz is an entirely American style of music, apart from the bits that came from Africa and Europe, that originated in New Orleans during the early years of the 20th century. The first jazz reording was made in 1917 by the [[Original Dixieland Jazz Band]], who drew heavily on African-American influences, as well as the marching bands that were popular at the time. It combines African American music, ragtime, and the blues.  Jazz is typified by complex collective musical [[improvisation]].
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==Early Jazz==
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Up until the mid-to-late 20s, jazz was a [[polyphonous]] music - typically, in a band such as [[King Oliver]]'s, the [[cornet]] would hold the main melody, whilst the [[clarinet]] would improvise [[obligati]] above and the [[trombone]] would add a tenor line below. Gradually, a more solo-oriented style emerged, typified by the [[Hot Five]] recordings of [[Louis Armstrong]], where instruments would take turns to solo.
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At this time, black and white bands were comprehensively segregated, with the influence of the ODJB hanging heavy over the white bands.
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Towards the end of the 1920, the big band sound started to emerge in two places, New York and [[Kansas City]]. In New York, the [[Broadway]] influence led to the development of sophisticated orchestras such as those of [[Fletcher Henderson]] or [[Duke Ellington]], whilst in the Southwest, an earthier, bluesier style was developed by such leaders as [[Bennie Moten]] and [[Jesse Stone]]
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==Swing==
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The early 1930s were something of a lean time for jazz commercially, although fine recordings were being produced by [[Harlem]] bandleaders such as Ellington and [[Cab Calloway]]. By around 1935 the Swing style was being popularised by white bandleaders such as [[Benny Goodman]], and by the end of the decade effectively became the sound of Western pop music.
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==Bebop==
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In reaction against the perceived commercialism of Swing, and its appropriation by white musicians, a group of young, dedicated musicians sought to create a style deliberately intended to alienate the casual listener. With its complex harmonies and irregular melodies, the Bebop style was treated with suspicion by older musicians.
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Types of jazz include:
 
Types of jazz include:

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