It is often characterized by syncopated rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, and the use of original timbres. Jazz music, which was developed by african americans and was influenced by both african rhythms and european harmonic structure, first appeared at the turn of the 20th century and has since undergone several distinctive phases of development. Major swing soloists also emerged in the 1930sβmost notably tenor saxophonists coleman hawkins, lester young, and ben webster Pianists art tatum and teddy wilson It was in the 1920s that the first forms of true orchestral jazz were developed, most significantly by fletcher henderson and duke ellington. Duke ellington, american pianist who was the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of his time
Jazz, musical form, often improvisational, developed by african americans and influenced by both european harmonic structure and african rhythms. Jazz dance, any dance to jazz accompaniments, composed of a profusion of forms Jazz dance paralleled the birth and spread of jazz itself from roots in black american society and was popularized in ballrooms by the big bands of the swing era (1930s and β40s). Louis armstrong, the leading trumpeter and one of the most influential artists in jazz history He was also a bandleader, singer, film star, and comedian With his great sensitivity, technique, and capacity to express emotion, armstrong led in the development of jazz into a fine art.