We’ve all tapped our toes to the smooth and swinging beats of some jazz classics. Somehow, this music never fails to put us in a good mood.
How does this happen? What sets jazz music apart and makes it so pleasing and fun to hear? Read on to find out.
Why Is Jazz Music So Good?
1. Jazz Is Energetic And Calming At The Same Time
Jazz is great at eliciting a lot of emotions and that makes it an excellent genre of music. Sometimes a jazz song can get us pumped and other times it can be serene and peaceful.
What makes jazz stand out like this is that there are so many different styles and variations, so much so that it never gets boring.
One day you could be dancing to a swinging tune in the club and the next day you could be brought to tears by a melancholic medley.
2. Jazz Has Charmed Millions
Jazz can be enjoyed anywhere in the world from its home in the United States to bands across Europe. A lot of jazz songs focus on instrumentation and rhythm, so they don’t have lyrics.
This means that the millions of people who enjoyed jazz could do so from anywhere, regardless of their musical tastes.
3. Jazz Is Prevalent Today
Jazz is such a prevalent aspect of music today that a lot of times we don’t even realize some songs fit into the genre of jazz.
The smooth tunes and fun vibes or something we naturally associate with the genre. Jazz has a place everywhere from movie scores to video game soundtracks.
Jazz is a consistent staple among many classic Hollywood films in the golden age, and still finds a place in our media to this day.
4. Historic Context
Jazz has been around for a long time and therefore it has been perfected and mastered over the years. It truly began in the Roaring 20’s, but took inspiration from long ages before.
Jazz is inspired by blues and ragtime styles of music but has evolved over the years into its own thing. Jazz captured the hearts and ears of people everywhere.
Today contemporary jazz continues to pay homage to its New Orleans routes and prove that the style is as relevant now as it was back then.
5. Jazz Is Timeless
Jazz is timeless in that the songs from decades ago can be enjoyed just as much as the ones recorded yesterday. Owing to this is because jazz has an extremely varied and distinct sound.
Part of the reason for that is because jazz is heavy on improvisation meaning that each artist has put their own stamp into their songs so that they can’t be easily replicated.
That is why every song has a unique quality that endures through the ages. When you listen to jazz, you’re not just hearing a song, you’re hearing a soul.
6. Amazing Atmosphere
Jazz immediately calls to mind a cool and swinging club or a relaxed and casual bar. The venues of jazz are just as varied as the music and this left a memorable image.
Even if you were someone who has never been to a jazz club it’s easy to put yourself in a comforting state of mind while listening to the music.
Today we listen to music at home a lot more but as soon as you close your eyes you’ll be transported to a place where your mind can be at ease. That’s the power of jazz.
7. Jazz Is Easy To Listen To
Jazz is very easy to put on in the background while you’re doing other things; it doesn’t require you to pay attention and think deeply, just enjoy the music.
Since jazz is very casual and easy going it really stands out as something pleasant to listen to which is a big factor in its popularity.
When you listen to jazz you can put yourself in a good mood very quickly or you can get lost in the melody for hours.
8. Jazz Artists Have Major Talent
The secret behind good jazz is the artist behind it. Many of jazz’s great musicians put everything they had into creating wonderful and memorable tunes.
Here are some of the iconic jazz performers that you should definitely lend your ear to.
- Louis Armstrong. One of Jazz’s most influential players. His name and signature voice is associated with the genre for songs like “What a Wonderful World” and “La Vie en Rose”
- Nat King Cole. He specialized as a jazz pianist and sang some of the genres most iconic tunes like “The Christmas Song”
- Frank Sinatra. One of music’s most well-known names, he sang some unforgettable jazz tunes like “Fly Me to the Moon”
Any of these songs and artists are guaranteed to show you a good time, but it isn’t just limited to them, Jazz has countless amazing artists that bring something spectacular to your ears.
9. It Continues To Grow
Jazz grows as a genre today with more amazing songs than you could ever listen to in one lifetime. As new artists take the stage, they evolve the genre in exciting ways.
In addition to these iconic and classical songs from back in the day continue to be as entertaining and inspiring as they did when they were first released.
Thanks to modern platforms like YouTube and powerful audio recording tools, anyone can put their jazz skills out into the world and become the next Sinistra.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on why classical music is so good, why country music is so popular, and why music is so bad now.
Conclusion
At the end of the day there are a lot of reasons why jazz is so popular from its timeless nature to the way it can be enjoyed by everyone.
There are a lot of songs that you shouldn’t go without listening to, from the classics born in a Louisiana club to the newest trending artists on Spotify.
New genres and styles of music will continue to spring up as long as we walk the earth, but jazz is something we can always count on to bring a smile to our faces.