modern jazz: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialist / Formal / Artistic
Quick answer
What does “modern jazz” mean?
A style of jazz music that emerged in the mid-1940s and developed through the 1960s, characterized by harmonic complexity, fast tempos, and improvisation based on chord progressions rather than melody.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of jazz music that emerged in the mid-1940s and developed through the 1960s, characterized by harmonic complexity, fast tempos, and improvisation based on chord progressions rather than melody.
Any progressive or avant-garde jazz movement that breaks with traditional swing or early jazz conventions; sometimes used more broadly to refer to contemporary jazz styles post-bebop.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical, though British contexts may more frequently associate the term with specific BBC radio programs or cultural imports from the US.
Connotations
Both varieties carry connotations of sophistication, intellectualism, and mid-20th-century innovation. Slightly stronger association with urban, counter-cultural scenes in American usage.
Frequency
Equally common in musical discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “modern jazz” in a Sentence
[Artist] is a key figure in modern jazz.The festival focuses on modern jazz.He transitioned from swing to modern jazz.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “modern jazz” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The London club was a hotbed for modern jazz in the 1950s.
- His thesis explores the reception of modern jazz in post-war Britain.
American English
- Modern jazz really took off in New York City's 52nd Street clubs.
- She prefers modern jazz over the earlier big band sound.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in music industry contexts (e.g., "modern jazz record label").
Academic
Common in musicology, cultural studies, and history of 20th-century music.
Everyday
Used by enthusiasts and in arts programming; not common in general casual conversation.
Technical
Precise historical classification in music theory and criticism.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “modern jazz”
- Using 'modern jazz' to refer to any jazz after 1970 (better: 'contemporary jazz', 'fusion', or 'avant-garde').
- Confusing 'modern jazz' with 'free jazz' (the latter is a distinct, often later development).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Modern jazz' is a historical term for styles like bebop and cool jazz (c. 1940s-1960s). 'Contemporary jazz' refers to jazz being created now or in recent decades.
Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis (in his early period), John Coltrane (in his hard bop period), and Dave Brubeck.
Fast tempos, complex and extended harmonies (e.g., chord substitutions), emphasis on instrumental virtuosity and improvisation over predefined chord changes ('changes'), and smaller ensemble sizes (combos).
The term reflects its revolutionary break from the prevailing swing style at the time. It was 'modern' relative to what came before. The label has stuck as a historical classification, even though the music is now decades old.
A style of jazz music that emerged in the mid-1940s and developed through the 1960s, characterized by harmonic complexity, fast tempos, and improvisation based on chord progressions rather than melody.
Modern jazz is usually specialist / formal / artistic in register.
Modern jazz: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɒdən ˈdʒæz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːdərn ˈdʒæz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's not my cup of tea, it's a bit too modern jazz.”
- “The discussion went completely modern jazz (meaning: became overly complex or chaotic).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MODERN' = Mid-Century, Original, Daring, Experimental, Rhythmically Novel.
Conceptual Metaphor
MODERN JAZZ IS A COMPLEX CONVERSATION (overlapping, spontaneous, sophisticated exchange).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is MOST closely associated with the core period of modern jazz?