History of Jazz

Explanation: Herbie Hancock revolutionized jazz with "Head Hunters", fusing jazz, funk and electronic music. The album became the first jazz record to be certified platinum.

Explanation: Storyville, New Orleans' red-light district, saw the birth of the first jazz musicians in its bars and clubs. Its closure by the US Navy pushed musicians to migrate to Chicago and New York.

Explanation: Louis Armstrong (1901-1971), nicknamed Satchmo, recorded « What a Wonderful World » in August 1967 at age 66. Initially overlooked in the US, the song became a global hit after its use in Good Morning, Vietnam (1987).

Explanation: Bebop, developed by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, broke with swing by favoring virtuosity and complex improvisation.

Explanation: John Coltrane (1926-1967) recorded « A Love Supreme » in December 1964 (released 1965), a four-movement suite considered one of the major works of the 20th century. Coltrane expresses his mystical quest following his recovery from heroin addiction.

Explanation: Billie Holiday (1915-1959), nicknamed "Lady Day", is one of the greatest jazz singers. Her unique voice and moving interpretations have marked music history.

Explanation: Thelonious Monk (1917-1982) composed « 'Round Midnight » as early as 1944 — one of the most recorded jazz compositions in history. His dissonant style and characteristic silences make him a unique figure in modern jazz.

Explanation: The Blue Note, founded in New York, became one of the most prestigious jazz clubs in the world and gave its name to the famous record label.

Explanation: Miles Davis (1926-1991) recorded "Kind of Blue" in April 1959 with John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley and Bill Evans. It is the best-selling jazz album of all time (>5 million copies) and the cornerstone of modal jazz.

Explanation: Jazz fusion (or jazz-rock) emerged with albums like Miles Davis's "Bitches Brew", integrating electric guitars and synthesizers.

Explanation: Duke Ellington led his orchestra for over 50 years, composing thousands of pieces including "Take the A Train".

Explanation: Bill Evans (1929-1980) recorded this legendary live album in June 1961 with Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums. Eleven days later, LaFaro would die in an accident. Evans also played on Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue".

Explanation: Ella Fitzgerald mastered the art of scat like no other, with an exceptional vocal range and legendary rhythmic precision.

Explanation: Free jazz, launched with Ornette Coleman's eponymous 1961 album, liberates improvisation from any fixed harmonic or rhythmic constraints.

Explanation: Django Reinhardt revolutionized jazz guitar despite his disability, creating gypsy jazz with violinist Stéphane Grappelli.