jazz

Everyday

1. A kind of music that began with African American musicians in New Orleans, USA, with strong rhythms, brass instruments and lots of making up music on the spot (improvisation). tree →
2. (verb, informal) To jazz something up is to make it brighter, livelier or more exciting. tree →
3. (informal, US) And all that jazz means and things like that. tree →

In the lessons

In music lessons, children listen to jazz and learn about Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. In everyday life, you can jazz up your bedroom or a cake. Phrases: jazz band, jazz hands, jazz up, and all that jazz.

Examples

• My uncle plays the trumpet in a jazz band. tree →
• Jazz began in New Orleans. tree →
• Louis Armstrong was a famous jazz trumpeter. tree →
• Let's jazz up this boring poster with glitter. tree →
• We did jazz hands at the end of the song. tree →
• The music teacher played some jazz and asked how it made us feel. tree →

Note

Uncountable: some jazz, not a jazz. Adjective: jazzy (bright and lively). Double z.