Jazz constitutes one of the major artistic events of the 20th century. This music, which appeared in the first years of the century, is more than a mere musical genre. It revolutionized the world of music and also initiated a new way of being in 20th century society.

From its African-American roots, jazz quickly became universal by introducing artistic influences from Africa, America and Europe and had a profound influence on the history of art in the last century. Throughout the 20th century jazz in effect became more a major symbol and a source of inspiration and creativity than a phenomenon or passing trend.

Universally recognisable, jazz is not only a type of music, it is also a state of mind that has influenced a number of artistic fields. Painting, literature, photography, film, graphic design and other 20th century forms of art bear the marks of jazz to different extents depending on the particular moment in time.

Description

416 pages • 24 x 28 cm • 51 €
Co-published by musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac / Skira Flammarion 2009
ISBN: 9782081224247