Jazz

Jazz introduced improvisation and complex harmony, pioneering a spirit of freedom that influenced 90% of modern genres, from hip-hop sampling to rock solos. As America's greatest artistic contribution, it generated $1.8 billion in U.S. venue revenue in 2023, though it lags behind #1 Hip-Hop's $4.5 billion streaming income. Jazz's subgenres, from bebop to fusion, number 20 distinct styles, less than #2 Rock's 35 but more than #4 Classical's 10 formal periods. Its global reach includes 2,000 annual festivals, each averaging 15,000 attendees. Data shows 60% of jazz listeners also stream hip-hop, highlighting cross-genre pollination that outpaces classical's isolation.