The Jazz Union

In the beginning, God created sound and rhythm. After that, humans created jazz. Since its inception, jazz has branched off in to many different styles. Because of this, jazz may seem multi-faceted. However, at the center of all jazz music is the idea that it was based upon – freedom. With this idea at its heart, it tries to capture the essence of the human experience. Jazz is a spontaneous and innovative form of self-expression. It is the jazz community's goal to understand and enjoy it.

Jazz sunk its roots in America during the 1920's. It was during this time period that the prohibition movement was in action and the underground speakeasies were in full swing. It was in these secret clubs that jazz bands became popular and the jazz culture started to take shape. In the wake of this rebellious activity came a social revolution. Women started breaking social norms and rejecting their traditional roles. Women's fashion and behavior became more and more less conservative. This made the transition to rock music in the 1950's easier for America. With this in mind, it is easy to see how pop culture could have originated in the jazz community.

As rock music became the hot commodity, jazz lost its popularity. Ironically, this would serve to benefit the future of jazz. The audience that remained loved jazz despite the fact that the popular music trend of the time told them not to. The modern jazz community serves to preserve it as an acceptable form of music.

Only a handful off jazz musicians have ever became famous and successful (in the Americanized sense of the word). Consequently, trying to become rich and famous as a jazz musician is somewhat futile. Success as a jazz musician is usually measured in how many people they have inspired. The most visible example of this is found at jazz festivals. At these daylong events, various bands play throughout the day. The players range from amateur to pro. After they play they are judged