It's amazing how people's opinion's vary

Jazz is an expression of thought and feeling. It can be slow and melancholy, or quick and light. It's simply what the musicians feel at the time. It's mainly instrumental, but sometimes there can be singing. I've read some of the definitions, apparently some dislike the lack of word. Well some things can't be expressed in words.

To African Americans in the late nineteenth century, one literal sound of freedom was that of the military marching bands of the American Civil War. This music, combined with the Ragtime and blues styles that developed some time later, evolved to form one of the truly indigenous art forms of the United States. The "jas," or the Creole brothel, is thought to have been the birthplace as well as the namesake of the new sound of Jazz. Early traditional Jazz combined the complexity of Ragtime, the tight arrangement of marching band music, and the inventive, free spirit of the blues. It incorporated structured improvisations at its center while the band maintained a swing. The sound evolved dramatically throughout the twentieth century in various forms: from the New York City Bebop of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker to the Free Jazz of the Art Ensemble of Chicago; from the Fusion of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock to the Hard Bop of Art Blakey. But throughout Jazz's great explorations, it has kept improvisation at its center, and as such it has always remained a music of freedom.

Jazz...the greatest musical genre there ever was, and ever will be. This music will always be the greatest. Jazz, along with Blues, and swing music, are all that is left of North American culture. Now, all that is left, is that shitty rap "music", if you even dare to call it that.

One of the best forms of music. Many people famous for their jazz are Ella Fitzgerald, Louie Armstrong, and Freddie Green. Very great genre of music.

adj. cool.

Jazz is a musical genre, a style in itself, an action, adjective, and foundation for a certain social group.

1. A music that originated in America, and credited to slaves who brought it over from West Africa. Has rhythmic foundations from the beats and syncopations from Africa. Has instrumental timbres from Spanish and European influences, as a result of the Spanish-American war and the diversity in New Orleans. Also has roots from ragtime piano, and eventually later on swing, blues, and bebop. Usually uses improvisation, but not always.
2. A verb similar to "swing". To give something a looser, more free-flowing, hipper feel. Can be done to a simple rhythm, or even things outside of music as in a "jazzed up place".
3. Often a thing that certain musical purists use to defend themselves as being the only decent kind of music left these days. Results in a kind of jazz elitism, where a jazz enthusiast believes he or she is better because he or she listens to the only kind of music that is still authentic and good.

The coolest Transformer. In the original series he turned in a Martini Porsche and was voiced by Scatman Crothers. He likes music, break dancing and generally getting down. Jazz was Optimus Prime's intelligent, highly skilled right-hand man and one of the few original Autobots to survive the battle with Unicron. Unfortunately Mr.Crothers died before the third season of the show, so Jazz was seen occasionally but did not speak throughout the final(American) season. He has had several toys including: Generation 1 Jazz, an Action Masters Jazz, a Pretenders Jazz, a Generation 2 version of the original(G1) toy, a recent gold version, a couple of ceramic busts, and a few statuettes.

In Michael Bay's Transfomers(2007) movie the Jazz character took on a more serious tone and was voiced by Darius McCrary. He turned into a Pontiac Solstice and died at the end of the movie(which was totally lame).

In the newest Transformers series, Animated, Jazz's personality is closer to that of the original character. This time around he is voiced by Phil LaMarr. And turns into a futuristic Porsche-like sports car with graphics paying homage to the original Jazz's Martini stripes.

An awesome genre of music.

Usually played with saxophones, trumpets, a piano, a guitar, a bass guitar (or upright bass) and a drum kit, but it's sometimes played with strings (violin, cello etc.). You can also have vocal parts as well.

It first originated at the beginning of the 20th century, in central America. It was largely associated with African Americans, but is played by everyone nowadays.

A well known Jazz player and bandleader was Art Blakey (drummer)

JAZZ IS AWESOME. DON'T DISS IT.

Syncopated and harmonically complex form of music originating from America during the early 20th century.

Styles include Be-Bop, Swing, Dixieland, Fusion, Free jazz etc.

One of the precursors to Funk, others include Blues and Soul . Funk of course gave way to more contempary forms of music like rap and techno.

Jazz is characterised by improvisation where musicians express themselves through their instruments.