Jazz carries an air of mystery and allure. Ask anyone about jazz, and they’ll describe the soulful music, the improvisation, and their favorite musicians. But the origin of the word “jazz” itself remains shrouded in intrigue.
Some research suggests that “jazz” may trace its roots to African languages spoken by former slaves. Others believe it could be linked to the French word “jaser,” meaning “to chatter.” There’s even speculation that it originated from slang terms for sexual activities—yes, you read that right. The term “jazzing” was once a euphemism for sex, though it’s unclear whether this predates the music or followed in its wake.
Garvin Bushell, a saxophonist, offered his take on the term’s mysterious origins, drawing from his early life in Louisiana. He recounted: “They said the French brought the perfume industry to New Orleans, where jasmine oil was a popular ingredient. Adding jasmine to a perfume was called ‘jassing it up.’ The strong scent was favored in the red-light district, where a working girl might ask, ‘Is jass on your mind tonight, young fellow?’ The term became synonymous with eroticism and eventually, with the music itself.”
The debate over who first used the term “jazz” is as lively as the music. Early jazz musicians often claimed credit for its creation. Jazz legend Jelly Roll Morton famously asserted that he invented the music and others merely copied him. Even the spelling of “jazz” has evolved. Early on, it was spelled “jass,” supporting the perfume theory. The first recorded jazz band, “The Original Dixieland Jass Band,” is a testament to this spelling. Trumpeter Nick LaRocca of the band explained that the term was changed to “jazz” because mischievous individuals couldn’t resist scratching off the “J” from posters.
Duke Ellington had a complicated relationship with the word “jazz.” He remarked: “By and large, jazz always has been like the kind of man you wouldn’t want your daughter to associate with. The word ‘jazz’ has been part of the problem, never losing its association with New Orleans bordellos. In the 1920s, I tried to convince Fletcher Henderson that we ought to call our music ‘Negro music.’ But it’s too late for that now. This music has become so integrated you can’t tell one part from the other so far as color is concerned.”
In the 1930s and ’40s, some magazines attempted to rename jazz to disassociate it from its sexual connotations, suggesting alternatives like “ragtonia,” “Amerimusic,” and “crewcut.” These efforts, unsurprisingly, did not catch on.
Today, jazz stands proud as a quintessentially American art form embraced worldwide. The “stigma” of its provocative beginnings has largely faded, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, passion, and cultural significance. Jazz, like the BADAZZ GLAZZ eyewear it inspires, is timeless, bold, and unapologetically unique.
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