African-American musicians, who inherited the musical tradition of their enslaved ancestors, mixed with white musicians, bringing influences from European classical music and American folk music.
Jazz was born in New Orleans, a port city where different cultures and musical influences converged. African-American musicians, who inherited the musical tradition of their enslaved ancestors, mixed with white musicians, bringing influences from European classical music and American folk music. Thus, the first jazz styles emerged, such as Dixieland, ragtime, and blues, based on melody, 12-bar structure, and the instrumentation of brass and percussion. These styles became popular in clubs, cabarets, and the city streets, soon spreading across the country.