Timeline of jazz history

Jazz history begins in the early 20th century in New Orleans, blending African rhythms, blues, and European musical traditions. The 1920s, known as the Jazz Age, saw jazz spread across America with lively styles like Dixieland and swing, characterized by big bands and dance music. The 1940s introduced bebop, a more complex and improvisational style that transformed jazz into an art form. Post-1950s innovations included cool jazz, free jazz, and fusion, blending jazz with other genres. Throughout, jazz has evolved through experimentation and cultural shifts, remaining a vital and influential musical form rooted in improvisation and expressive storytelling.