Where jazz comes from
Jazz emerged in New Orleans in the early 20th century from blues, ragtime and brass band traditions, then evolved through swing, bebop, cool, modal and fusion. Musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and John Coltrane shaped each turn.
What makes a track sound like jazz
- Swing eighth notes
- Walking bass
- Improvised solos
- Interaction between players
Typical structure
Head (melody), solos over the form, trading fours with the drummer, head out. Common forms are 12-bar blues and 32-bar AABA.
Vocals in jazz
Jazz vocals swing and phrase freely around the beat, from smoky ballad singing to scat solos. Ask for "a smoky female jazz vocalist" or "crooner vocals", and mention scat if you want improvised lines.
Prompting tips
Name the setting and era: "piano trio ballad", "bebop quintet", "cool jazz with muted trumpet". Brushes versus sticks changes the mood a lot.
Without a form the result can wander. Ask for "head, solos, head" so there is a melody to return to.
Prompts to start from
Smoky late-night jazz piano trio, slow ballad, brushes on snare, walking upright bass, muted trumpet melody
Up-tempo bebop quintet at 220 BPM, alto sax and trumpet head, piano solo, trading fours with drums
Relaxed bossa-influenced jazz guitar trio for a café, soft brushes, warm hollow-body guitar