Relaxing Jazz Music - Background Chill Out Music for Studying, Working, Relaxing

Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Jazz has been called America’s classical music, and for good reason. Along with the blues, its forefather, it is one of the first truly indigenous musics to develop in America.

Jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes, complex chords, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation. In most jazz performances, players play solos which they make up on the spot, which requires considerable skill. There is tremendous variety in jazz, but most jazz is very rhythmic, has a forward momentum called “swing,” and uses “bent” or “blue” notes.