Jazz has been around for a while and while it has changed slightly over the years, there`s no doubt that the underlying basic music has remained the same. But what about the future? Is jazz too old-fashioned to survive? Will we see the face of jazz change in coming years?

The essence of jazz is not likely to change much anytime soon. There is still something special about the rich tunes by Billie Holiday and Count Basie that won`t be going away. However, music is transitional and as such, it has to change, so we can expect to see more modern expressions being added to the basic underlying tones.

Just what IS in store for the world of jazz then? Let`s take a look.

Blending Jazz

New jazz is just starting to emerge, taking the sound of jazz and adding some tones from other styles of music. Some is just subtly changed, while other types are barely recognizable as jazz at all. New jazz is often referred to as "nu jazz", though this usually means music that leans closer to funk or techno.

Nikki O has a song called "Butterflies" that brings some soul into jazz, making it a unique and very haunting. However, the subtle changes by Nikki O to the world of jazz are definitely not the only differences in newer blends of jazz with modern music.

A more "funky" version of jazz can be heard with Bembe Segue`s "Mother of the Future". It may be pushing the limits of what we consider to be jazz, but it still holds true to the basics while turning the classic into something futuristic.

Perhaps the most common blend is jazz and pop. Tyler Bernhardt, Walter Belcher, Dave Downs and Patrick Rydman are all excellent examples of successful artists that are doing well with the blend of jazz and pop. While you`ll find plenty of other fusions out there, this is the one that is often the biggest seller, as well as the most commonly stocked on music store shelves.

Jazz is changing, but we are already seeing a fork in the types of music available. On one hand, we have the classic strains of jazz that are still being crooned by the likes of Diane Reeves, and on the other, we have the fusion blends of pop, funk and soul being mixed in with classic jazz. Whichever type you prefer, you can be assured that there is a future for jazz.

Female jazz artists have always held a type of mystic, but recently, we`ve seen more and more talented artists coming onto the jazz music scene. These days, you have a great selection of women jazz artists to choose from, some more impressive than others.

Silje Nergaard is a talented young woman who started out as a pop artist in Norway, but she has turned completely to the jazz genre now. She`s worked with Pat Metheny and has produced eleven albums, including a compilation album. With hits like Keep on Backing Losers, Silje has made it out of the Norwegian market and is now popular around the world, a true accomplishment.

Another accomplished jazz singer and pianist is Diana Krall. Her contralto vocals have earned this Canadian woman a place among the top female jazz artists of our time. She has been playing the piano since the age of four and studied with Jimmy Rowles in LA. Her career includes many Grammy Awards, including Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2007. She lives with her husband, Elvis Costello and their twin sons in New York.

Bebel Gilberto has been providing jazz vocals since she was a young girl in Rio de Janiero. Though born in New York, she grew up in Brazil, where she received many opportunities to sing with her mother, Miùcha, as well as with other artists of the country. Her third album, Tanto Tempo, sold over one million copies around the world and was her first truly international album. Since then, she has gone on to make two more albums and several remixes.

Our fourth woman jazz artist has seven albums, including one that is scheduled for release in 2009, and two DVDs under her belt. Jane Monheit is another child prodigy who began to sing professionally in high school. She`s worked with the likes of Michael Bublè and Terence Blanchard and has performed jazz concerts around the world, in addition to recording her studio albums. She currently resides in New York.

Women jazz artists are really coming into their own these days. While many have been singing or performing since they were fairly young, there are a good number that have more recently discovered their talent. As you can see, these female artists come from a wide variety of backgrounds and even countries, yet their music touches hearts around the world.

African American history is filled with song and this cultural music, created to underscore the experiences of a people, would consistently morph from one form to another.  With new incarnations would come enthusiast and detractors   alike -- Jazz was no different.

In spite of those who would rail against the 19th century style, it continued on, rising from the roots of Negro spirituals ragtime waltzes and blues structure.  Perhaps it was because jazz, infused within its infectious melodies and slick brightness added a fun element of hope and laughter that was missing from the blues and other popular genres at the time.

There was also a new, spontaneous side to it, as jazz players were prone to improvisation, meaning they could play without a rehearsed ideal of where the music could go.  For this reason, jazz musicians became extremely accomplished and well respected players.

Subgenres

Because the basis of jazz was improvisation, it was only a matter of time before the genre itself splintered into various forms, namely swing, big-band, be-bop, New Orleans Dixie, Latin and Afro Cuban.  In the latter decades, fusions that included rock or pop elements were introduced to the dismay of many purists.  Even acid jazz, which combines funk and hip-hop were placed under debate by those who felt that true jazz contained traditional structures that should not be changed.

Those who embraced the new styles argued that the true spirit of jazz is in its evolution-that Jazz began with improvisation, meaning it could lead anywhere.

In reality, even the older genres of jazz met with these very same debates as those who enjoyed the early manifestations of the genre pitted themselves against anyone who dared trifle with jazzes earlier formula.

Jazz fusion and neo jazz

The wonderful and influential Duke Ellington wasn't even immune from fire, as he met with numerous criticisms from purists who felt that jazz should have limitations. Many of these jazz fans felt his music was too orchestrated to truly be labeled by the free form genre.  Ellington answered these charges by glibly replying that "It's all music!"

Modern day jazz pop performers like Jarreau, Anita Baker and George Benson came under fire in recent history for their pop takes on the beloved style.

To me, these purists are trying to find the devil in the outdated details.

I for one agree with the modern day jazz ideology.  Jazz as a form cannot be contained.  It will always be free of structure, which is the very reason why it was birthed and why it will continue on in its many incarnations for centuries for indeed, it's all music.

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