Jazz grew from the rich musical traditions of West African culture which have been loved by many, including the Czech classical composer, Antonín Dvorák.
In 1893, Dvorák wrote of the art form: "In the Negro melodies of America, I discover all that is needed for a great and noble school of music. They are pathétic, tender, passionate, melancholy, solemn, religious, bold, merry, gay, or what you will.
"It is music that suits itself to any mood or purpose. There is nothing in the whole range of composition that cannot be supplied with themes from this source. The American musician understands these tunes and they move sentiment in him."
Dvorák's words drew worldwide attention to this music born of the African American culture, the foundation of jazz.
This has been Rapp on Jazz, a co-production of the ColaJazz Foundation and SC Public Radio. Support for this program is made possible in part by Fox Music House of Columbia and Charleston.