Jazz originated just an hour away from LSU’s campus in New Orleans.
The genre began in the late 19th century after emerging from African American musical traditions like blues and European harmonic structures, blending different cultures. Popular brass bands in New Orleans popularized jazz across the country by embracing ragtime blues, an African American musical style that began on the piano. New Orleans is known as a melting pot of cultures where African, Caribbean and European influences could mix to create this new sound.
New Orleans native Louis Armstrong used his trumpet to popularize the genre, spreading it across the world. Jazz even began to make its way into popular music through artists like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Enjoy this playlist of all the class jazz sounds from artists like Etta James, Billie Holiday, Julie London, Nat King Cole and more.
These smooth jazz sounds are the perfect way to start any morning this week.
