Exploring the Magic of Jazz: The Different Styles and Subgenres

Perhaps not as popular as it first was, jazz music continues to be enjoyed by millions around the world. The music style may be considered by newer generations to be a little different to their tastes, but for those that grew up with it around the home, there might not be anything better.

The birthplace is undoubtedly New Orleans, and the streets of the Louisiana city still celebrate its music with locations like Bourbon Street and the festival of Mardi Gras still living strongly. Jazz music has been a key reason for this, as it has found a special place with listeners over the decades it has been around.

Jazz provides those that listen to it with moments of magic. It has a unique ability to use sounds from a variety of different genres and mash them all together to create a piece of audio that gets us jiving like no other. This is possible because there are so many different subgenres and styles.

Different types of jazz music and styles

While there are various different subgenres within the jazz music niche, some are more popular and widely known in comparison to others. Some of those to be among the most enjoyed include:

• Bebop Jazz
• Latin Jazz
• Fusion Jazz
• Cool Jazz
• Swing Jazz

There have been various reasons why these five types of jazz have gone on to become popular worldwide, with each of them providing the type of emotions that only this style of music is able to provide.

What is Bebop Jazz?

Bebop is a type of jazz style that first rose to prominence in the 1940s. Many have enjoyed this style for decades because of its fast tempo, numerous complex harmonies, and improvisational nature. Jazz artists managed to come up with this style as looked for alternatives to the commercial jazz that was already being played, as they wanted to create something different and stand out. Swing music is credited as a source of inspiration.

What is Latin Jazz?

Another type of jazz music that began to gain traction with artists and listeners in the 1940s was Latin jazz. This music style managed to boom in the 1950s, as it managed to integrate flavors of African American jazz with sounds from Latin America. It is still widely listened to today, as there are many stock music tracks available that take inspiration from the subgenre. It is perhaps no surprise with the use of instruments like conga drums, timbales, and bongos, as they can add an extra dimension to the music being played.

What is Fusion Jazz?

Fusion jazz has continued to remain a popular style of jazz music since it emerged in the 1960s. With musical elements such as rock, funk, and soul all being combined, jazz artists were able to bring something new to listeners, thus highlighting its versatility at the same time. Many saw it as a boundary-pushing style, and it is safe to say it managed to give this particular niche the opportunity to evolve.

How about Cool Jazz?

Cool jazz first became mainstream during its initial appearance in the 1950s. A subgenre of classical jazz, cool jazz is known for being more laid-back in comparison to bebop jazz; its tempo tends to be slower, while dynamics tend to be quieter and calmer; overall, cool jazz offers an easier listening experience that still provides all of its great emotions.

Swing Jazz

Swing jazz was one of the earliest forms of jazz that gained wide recognition, rising to prominence during the 1930s and 40s bands era. People would dance along to its sounds made by instruments like percussion, brass, and saxophones – making this subgenre one of the best-known forms of jazz today.

Jazz reigns supreme

Jazz is a genre that has managed to stand the test of time because of its ability to evolve and adapt to different cultures and styles. Its magic lies in its ability to engender feelings of joy, pain, and every other emotion in between. With so many different styles and subgenres to enjoy and listen to, there is definitely a type of jazz that will be very easy to find and enjoy.