【B1】 【B2】

Jazz captures the essence of America. For good reason, for in jazz all of the American characterisics come together. The solos are a celebration of individual brilliance that can’t take place without these group efforts of the rhythm section. Beyond that, jazz has a connection to the essence of America in a much more fundamental way. It is an expression of the African roots of American culture, a musical medium that exemplifies the culture of the Africans whose culture came to dominate much of what is American.
      Jazz brought together elements from Africa and Europe, fusing them into a new culture, an expression unique to the Americas. Out of this fusion came an idea that Americans believe central to their identity: tolerance. Americans acknowledge that in diversity is our strength. They learn every day that other cultures and peoples may make valuable contributions to our way of life. Jazz music is the embodiment of these ideal. combining elements from African and European cultures into a distinctly American music.
      Jazz reflects two contradictory facets of American life. On the one hand，it is a team effort, where every musician is completely immersed in what the group does together , listening to each of the other players and building on their contributions to create a musical whole. On the other hand, the band features a soloist who is an individual at the extreme, a genius like Charlie Parker who explores musical territory where no one has ever gone before. In the same sense, American life is also a combination of teamwork and individualism, a combination of individual brilliance with the ability to work with others.