Contemporary jazz

Contemporary jazz is an umbrella term for all kinds of jazz music being played now – as well as jazz music of the 80s, 90s, 00s & 10s – which can feature some or all of the following:

  • sophisticated
  • highly chromatic harmonies (verging on impressionist or atonal)
  • rhythmic experimentation (cross rhythms, changing time signatures)
  • development of a groove based on just two or three chords
  • instruments used in experimental ways (melodic instruments used in percussive roles, harmonics and other virtuoso performing techniques)
  • world music and avant garde influences and inclusion of instruments never used seriously in jazz before (flugelhorn, flute or oboe)

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