Jazz’s Beginnings

contrary to the basic concept of African music as functional music, the basic concept of European music was art (and entertainment) music 

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both concepts are essential to jazz 

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jazz is unquestionably art music; however, it has been and continues to be utilized as functional music as well (e.g., for dancing, atmosphere background music, even funeral music in the 1920s); it has been performed everywhere from the most prestigious concert halls (e.g., Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Los Angeles Music Center, The John. F. Kennedy Center, etc.) to the lowliest night clubs and bars 

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instruments (saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, etc.) 

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harmony (most chord progressions utilized in jazz compositions are essentially European in origin) 

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pre-jazz dance bands of the late 19th and early 20th century primary function was playing for dances, parties, picnics, and funerals 

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typical instrumentation consisted of cornet, clarinet, trombone, bass, guitar, drums, and violin 

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late 19th and early 20th century dance bands played the popular dances of the day including waltzes, polkas, and quadrilles (high society dance), that is, music with a steady beat 

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parade band music provided exhilaration and a sense of non-discipline to the music that was eventually to be called jazz