From Jazz to the Origins of Rock and Roll

I've been playing a lot of jazz lately and really getting back into some classic and amazing acts of the mid 20th century.

What is jazz? Jazz has its origins all over, from New Orleans Jazz in the early part of the 20th century, and incorporating blues and soul, ragtime, swing, and African influences among scores of others. Jazz hit high notes during the prohibition era when speakeasies would recruit jazz musicians to liven up the joints. Long before rock and roll in the 50's and heavy metal and Miley Cyrus came along threatening to corrupt youth, jazz was considered immoral and threatening old values in America; strange how times have changed.

My own introduction to jazz probably came early from listening to my parent's playing NPR radio, where jazz lives.