Jazz is Born in New Orleans

In New Orleans, music was already everywhere — in churches, in dance halls, and in marching bands.

Musicians started mixing blues, ragtime, and brass-band songs into something brand new.

They took turns making up melodies on the spot — that's called improvising.

This lively new music was called jazz, and it made people want to dance right out into the street.

Soon jazz spread up the river and all around the world.