Jazz's spirit is deeply expressive. From the early days of Bix Beiderbecke and Louis Armstrong, to the small band explosion post-WWII with virtuosic soloists dazzling listeners, to the infusion of funk and soul, to avant-garde ideas ... we've now arrived at a melodically rich canvas that gives jazz players numerous tools to express their ideas. Modern jazz borrows the best of swing, bop, cool, blues and classical ... but very much leans into "what's new, what's now." 

Musicians have always needed to push boundaries in order to advance their art form. Modern jazz - a nebulous term to be sure - builds on the music's legacy, while showcasing artists intent on moving the genre into the future.