Jazz is a musical genre that originated in African American communities in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots can be traced back to blues and ragtime, as well as European musical traditions such as military band music.

The early form of jazz was characterized by improvisation, syncopated rhythms, and the use of brass instruments such as trumpets and trombones. It gained popularity in the 1910s and 1920s, particularly in African American communities in New Orleans and other cities. During this time, jazz began to spread to other parts of the United States and the world.

Jazz saw a major transformation in the 1930s and 1940s with the advent of swing, a more orchestrated style of jazz that was characterized by a strong, swinging rhythm and the use of big band arrangements. Swing was very popular in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s and was widely embraced by audiences of all races and backgrounds.

In the post-World War II era, jazz underwent another major transformation with the development of bebop, a style characterized by complex chord progressions, virtuosic instrumental solos, and a focus on melody and harmony over rhythm. Bebop was developed primarily by African American musicians in the 1940s and 1950s and had a profound influence on the development of later styles of jazz.

Jazz has continued to evolve and diversify over the years, with numerous sub-genres developing, including cool jazz, hard bop, free jazz, and fusion. Today, jazz remains a vibrant and diverse genre with a rich history and continues to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.