Expert: Abdalla Mohamed Ali - 3/18/2008

Question
Hi, I'm doing a project on the roaring twenties and my group's subject is Jazz. I know alot about music already and thinking of being a conductor or something. One of group members, though is arguing that blues is jazz. That leads me to my first question: Is Blues considered Jazz? and what makes Jazz, Jazz and different from Blues? are there ways to tell them apart?
My second question is: Were there any famous or well known saxophone players during that time?

Your answer is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Answer
Hello,
Blues is not Jazz!
Jazz came from the Blues .. it was first the Blues then Ragtime and from the Ragtime came the Jazz, the music structure of Jazz is different from Blues.
Ofcourse there were some famous sax players in that era the most famous I believe were Sidney Bechet, Otto Hardwicke from Duke Ellington Band, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster.

Hope I helped.
Thanks for your question