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There's an expression proffered by practitioners of Rastafari, a Jamaican form of Christianity, that goes, "Who feels it, knows it." It can be found in much of the religion's literature and in many reggae songs. It means that while you can't always rationally understand something, you can know of it through feeling or intuition. That's one way you can get to jazz. Given the complexities of the music's history and modes of expression, it's tough to put its definition into clear, concise words. Nevertheless, it does not completely defy description so let's take a shot at trying to figure it out, if for no other reason than to enhance your enjoyment of it. Here's my attempt at a primer on America's classical music, jazz: Origins Jazz was created by, but isn't exclusive to, African Americans living in the southern United States in the late nineteenth century. Areas prominent in its derivation include the South Atlantic coast (Charleston and Savannah), the Mississippi Delta (New Orleans and Memphis) and the Deep South (Mobile and Birmingham).

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