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.