How Does Jazz Relate to Today’s Social and Cultural Experience? Essay Example

Jazz is said to have been born in New Orleans approximately 100 years ago. It is virtually a mix of African American and European music that was popular during the early 1900s, indicating that the two cultures were beginning to merge to create a style of music that was primarily unique. As such, jazz represents cultural shifts in society. While the African American communities that were considered outcasts were performing this music, the favor it gained with white audiences allowed for cultural acceptance. Soon, jazz musicians were found all over the country for the purpose of both black and white entertainment.

During its origination, jazz was a marker of both oppression and change. This style of music was originally meant for the African American community, but it was enjoyed by individuals of European descent as well. Today, jazz is still produced as a homage to original jazz and has been modified to reflect modern struggles and meaning. African Americans still experience discrimination in the modern setting, but this discrimination is of a different type. Thus, the jazz produced has a cultural distinctiveness from original jazz, although many similar themes remain in place. We can therefore explain that jazz is a reflection of today’s social and cultural experience. The people who produce modern jazz music are doing so to make a statement. In light of civil rights concerns such as those promoted by the Black Lives Matter movement, jazz music is produced both to cope with such problems and to help bring a culturally diverse community together through a love for music. As such, individuals from more cultures are becoming parts of the jazz movement, even merging jazz elements with other styles, such as rock. Because of this, jazz continues to be relevant today.