“Jazz and the spirituals are the only American-born art,” Williams said. “… Because of the deeply religious background of the Black American, he was able to mix the strong influence with ...

For 50 years, the Illinois Wesleyan Jazz Festival has fostered music education for the local community. Hosted by the IWU ...

The American musical art form jazz emerges in New Orleans around the advent of the 20th century. Jazz blends elements from varied traditions, including African and African American, religious ...