Jazz is a fusion of African and European musical traditions that developed in the United States during the early 20th century. In its simplest terms, the style began as Dixieland jazz in New Orleans in the early 1900s and evolved through the influence of musicians such as W. C. Handy and Thomas A. Dorsey. It became an eclectic blend of brass band marches, ragtime, blues, and gospel, with early recordings such as Livery Stable Blues helping to popularise the genre.

One of the defining features of early jazz was collective improvisation, in which performers improvised together rather than taking individual solo sections, creating a rich polyphonic texture. During the early 20th century, African American musicians faced widespread racial segregation and discrimination, limiting the venues where they could perform. As a result, many played in segregated clubs, bars, and informal community gatherings. Throughout the 20th century, jazz continued to evolve into many different styles, and numerous musicians moved between these genres, influencing one another. Pioneering artists such as Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and many others transformed jazz into one of the world's most influential musical forms. Their innovations inspired generations of musicians and ensured that the genre continued to develop and flourish.

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The tune was composed for a radio broadcast in October 1930 and was originally titled Dreamy Blues. The Duke recalled, It was "the first tune I ever wrote specially for microphone transmission. The next day sacks of mail came in raving about the new tune, so Irving Mills put a lyric to it." Renamed Mood Indigo, the now, jazz standard.   

Download: .... Duke Ellington - Mood Indigo