Jazz Influence on Modern Music

Mural by Pamela Bliss on 322 N. Capitol Ave, near Indiana Avenue

Within the familiar rhythms of today’s American music, we can find the nuanced rhythmic drive first created by the pioneers of jazz. Jazz has long been the inspiration for a wide range of artists and genres. To understand the evolution of jazz over time we talked to Rob Dixon, the Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation and Indy Jazz Fest.

Photo of Rob Dixon from Indy Jazz Fest 2023 shot by Angelo Martinez

“The through line is basically the fact that jazz is an American art form rooted in African American musical traditions. It separated us from other countries. The biggest thing the African American influence added was the use of rhythm and syncopation that happens in jazz. That transferred to the blues, R&B, rock and roll, and, generally, all the music that comes from America,” Dixon explained. 

Rob explained that jazz originated in the marching bands of New Orleans. “People would embellish on the melodies. Then that went into… the big bands, and in the big bands, jazz was everything. And then it became something that happened in the clubs. And eventually, jazz became something that evolved into pop music, for example, the jazz musicians in Detroit that recorded Motown music. It’s jazz chords with melodic ideas,” said Dixon.

The Motown sound included these rhythmic innovations and melodic development in huge pop hits that influenced the generations of musicians that followed, including Amy Winehouse, Beyonce, and many others. “However lightly influenced, [jazz is] definitely a part of the fabric of American music,” said Dixon.

In Indy Jazz Fest 24, we see jazz in a wide range of artistic styles and rhythms. 

“Marcus Miller, famous jazz bassist [and] great producer, got his start with Miles Davis. You can’t get any bigger name than that in jazz… [or] somebody like Michael Franks who's kind of soft rock,” said Rob. 

Rob explains that Chaka Khan's music has apparent jazz melodies, with tracks like ‘A Night in Tunisia’ or ‘I Feel for You’ being great examples of improvisation and modernization of jazz roots. 

For Indy Jazz Fest 24, Rob is especially excited for two artists - MonoNeon and Naptown Sound. 

“Naptown sound is an event that we produce every year, that highlights the local talent, the Indianapolis based bands. It’s fun. It’s great music. It’s a party atmosphere, with people socializing while they are really engaged in the music. It’s everything that we

want our bands to be. You don’t find that in a lot of places… it’s a very festive event,” said Rob.

Because of its history of constant evolution, Rob thinks jazz is a timeless genre, one that will always expand as we do. 

“Jazz is authentically American, and it has influenced all of the music that has come from America. There are so many different subgenres, all of which can be put under the umbrella of jazz, so we’re just happy to curate and celebrate this music in the grand fashion that we do at Indy Jazz Fest,” said Rob.