Jazz originated about 1910simoltaneoulsy in many southern and midwestern cities. Because its style was different from city to city, jazz must be defined in general forms. Jazz is lively, energetic music with pulsating rhythms and entertaining syncopations, usually played by a small instrumental ensemble (COMBO) or a larger group (A BIG BAND). Jazz tends to be polyphonic, since several instruments play independent lines, and it also includes a strong element of improvisation. Playing jazz requires …showed first 75 words of 575 total…

…showed last 75 words of 575 total…characterized by tense polyrhythms, heavier percussion and melodies based on scales other than major or minor. Jazz riff- a short motive that recurs again and again in the course of the piece- was used in Afro-Cuban jazz. During 1970s, driven by economy, jazz performers began to assimilate jazz with some of traits of rock. Jazz-fusion is the name given to the mixture of jazz and rock. Today, the best known jazz musician is Wynton Marsalis.