Dixieland (New Orleans jazz) is the earliest style of jazz, which took shape in the early 20th century in the city of New Orleans, the cradle of jazz. It is joyful, energetic music, full of festive elation.
The most characteristic feature of Dixieland is collective improvisation: several melodic “front-line” instruments (trumpet or cornet, clarinet, and trombone) simultaneously and freely weave their lines, while the rhythm section (banjo, tuba or double bass, drums, piano) holds a springy rhythmic foundation. This style grew out of brass-band marches, ragtime, and blues. Dixieland is living, spontaneous, and extraordinarily danceable jazz that still sounds on the streets of New Orleans and remains a symbol of the very origins of the jazz art.
