music inside me - JAZZ

well, i have always felt jazz was a pretty complex genre of music. Since i have been listening to some artistes like chick corea, miles davis and other greats lately, i have kind of gained interest in it. And naturally like anybody i was very curious to know about the origin of this JAZZ and how it has evolved since then. well this is what i found.

When West African tribes were brought to the New World in chains, they carried their music and traditions with them.
The powerful rhythms of African percussion influenced American music.
Slave work songs were created in the African tradition of call-and-response.
To tell a story, a song leader would call out a line and the workers would respond to the call. Many slaveholders did not allow the slaves to speak to each other, so the only way they could communicate was through song. Slaves also sang soulful songs called "spirituals" to express their religious beliefs, feelings and desire for freedom.
Spirituals and work songs are part of the foundation of the American art form, known as jazz. Also, in the early 1890s the blues emerged from these traditions.
In performing the blues, singers used the power of their voices to express their feelings.
Jazz has been there since then and is still influencing people world over. It has evolved into different forms like latin jazz, fusion, soul jazz now, with the coming of electronic instruments and newer technology.