Music comes in many forms; most countries have a style of their own.1the turn of the century when jazz was born, America had no prominent2of its own. No one knows exactly when jazz was3, or by whom. But it began to be4in the early 1900s.Jazz is America’s contribution to5music. In contrast to classical music, which6formal European traditions, jazz is spontaneous and free-form. It bubbles with energy,7the moods, interests, and emotions of the people. In the 1920s jazz8like America, and9it does today. The10of this music are as interesting as the music11. American Negroes, or blacks, as they are called today, were the jazz12. They were brought to Southern States13slaves. They were sold to plantation owners and forced to work long14. When a Negro died his friend and relatives15a procession to carry the body to the cemetery. In New Orleans, a band often accompanied the procession. On the way to the cemetery the band played slow, solemn music suited to the occasion. Buton the way home the mood changed. Spirits lifted. Death had removed one of their relations, but the living were glad to be alive. The band played happymusic, improvising (即兴表演) on both the harmony and the melody of the tunes presentedat the funeral. This music made everyone want to dance. It was an early form of jazz.