jazz

☆ jazz (jaz)

noun

a kind of music, originally improvised but now also arranged, characterized by syncopation, rubato, usually heavily accented rhythms, dissonances, individualized melodic variations, and unusual tonal effects on the trumpet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone, etc.: it originated with Southern blacks in the late 19th cent.
Slang a quality reminiscent of jazz music; lively spirit
Slang remarks, acts, concepts, etc. regarded as hypocritical, tiresome, trite, pretentious, etc.

Etymology: etym. uncert.: < ? Creole patois jass, sexual term applied to the Congo dances (New Orleans)

adjective

of, in, like, or having to do with jazz

transitive verb

to speed up
Slang to fill with jazz qualities; make exciting or elaborate; enliven or embellish: usually with up

intransitive verb

Slang to move or behave in a lively or carefree way

Dixieland, ragtime, modern jazz, progressive jazz, swing, big band music, bop, bebop, boogie-woogie, blues, syncopated music, improvisation, fusion, third-stream, hot music*, cool jazz*, straight jazz*, le jazz hot*, jive*; see also music 1.

Converse of object

Adjective modifier

classical: Have your favorite piece of music beautifully arranged, or choose from our extensive repertoire of classical, jazz, pop or rock music.
Latin: The festival is launched on 1 June with a night of live Latin jazz.
maxi: Maxi Jazz and co, deserve all the cred.
Afro-Cuban: Salsa embraces elements of rumba and mambo, Afro-Cuban jazz, Bossa Nova and Afro-American Soul or Latin Rock.
funky: The music moves from funky, jazz, soul, and gentle hip hop.
mellow: Atmosphere: Relaxed, airy, offbeat with mellow jazz and trance. not for the conventional; a great place to chill.

Modifies a noun

musician: Ronnie Scott's How do you get a jazz musician to make a million quid, the joke goes.
pianist: URI CAINE - Uri Caine is an acclaimed jazz pianist with a lifelong passion for the music of Mahler.
FM: Jazz Jazz FM The jazz radio station for the UK.
trio: Three cocktail parties cruise are set a jazz trio a beautiful beach.
quartet: Quartet B: Jazz Quartet founded in 1995 by Mihály.
singer: There's simply no arguing with Mina Agossi's skill as a jazz singer.

Noun used with modifier

Gypsy: Lollo Meier is an incredible guitar player who was raised on gypsy jazz and took up the instrument when he was just 12.
free-form: Rauschenberg's paintings are in themselves much like reading a beat poem or listening to free-form jazz music.
Riverfront: Later we will take in some of the Jazz sessions in local pubs in the Riverfront Jazz Festival.
Latin: It was a mixture of African rhythms, latin jazz and soul.
piano: However, his take on piano jazz remains uniquely personal and fresh.

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