Out of the African songs, shouts and rhythms, the art of jazz was born. True to its origin, it is an art form that is spontaneous, full of emotion and improvisational in nature.

Jazz was slow in gaining acceptance because of its cultural origin as well as the tendency to view it as lacking in morals. It was not until white orchestras began to imitate jazz did it gain acceptance.

New Orleans is considered the home of jazz, with it then spreading to Chicago, Kansas City, the west coast and New York.