Jazz Music Will Never Die, and Here’s Why

When was the last time a friend dragged you to a jazz club or sent you a link to a new jazz record? If you look purely at traditional Top 40 metrics, jazz usually ranks near the bottom of America's most consumed music genres.

Because of that, the industry has been asking the same lazy question for decades: Is jazz dead?

The short answer? Not even close.

While you might not hear John Coltrane sandwiched between Taylor Swift and Drake on Spotify's flagship playlists, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who actually hates jazz. Most people respect it. And the people who love it? They are obsessed. But what traditional chart data completely misses is how the genre has quietly infiltrated almost everything we listen to today.

Here is why the jazz music genre isn't just surviving—it's having a massive cultural moment.

If you think jazz is just four guys in suits playing 20-minute solos in a smoky room, you aren't paying attention. Jazz is easily the most versatile music genre on the planet, and its DNA is actively powering today's biggest hip-hop, R&B, and electronic hits.

Music doesn't sit still. Today, genre-bending musicians like Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, and Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah are pulling jazz into the future by crashing it into funk, techno, and afrobeat. Meanwhile, modern producers like Flying Lotus—and the entire "lo-fi chillhop" movement that millions of people stream while they work—rely almost entirely on jazz samples and chord progressions.

The reason album sales data looks bleak is because these massive crossover projects aren't officially labeled "jazz" on Apple Music. But the sound is everywhere.

Want to hear how jazz shaped modern hip-hop? We mentioned that jazz DNA is hiding in today's biggest hits. If you want to hear exactly how artists sample the classics to make modern chart-toppers, check out Riffs on Riffs. Hosts Joe and Toby act as audio archaeologists, unearthing the hidden gems in the musical DNA of your favorite tracks.

To hear exactly how modern genre-bending musicians are actively pulling jazz into the future, watch the Thundercat Tiny Desk Performance. It perfectly illustrates how artists are fusing incredible jazz basslines with funk and R&B to captivate a completely new generation of fans.

It's the Backbone of American Culture

You can't talk about the history of jazz without talking about American history. Born in the early 20th century among African American communities in New Orleans, jazz is the ultimate story of cultural blending, hardship, resilience, and freedom.

As the sound traveled north to cities like Chicago and New York, it didn't just entertain people; it shaped entire generations. It is a vital piece of our cultural heritage. The music we consume today—across almost every genre—was built on the foundation of jazz improvisation.

From Gen Z TikTok to the Grammys

You don't need a time machine to find live jazz; you just need to walk through New Orleans, Chicago, or New York City on a Friday night. The club scene is incredibly healthy.

But jazz has also clawed its way back into mainstream pop culture. We saw it drive the emotional core of Pixar’s Oscar-winning movie Soul in 2020. We’ve seen it dominate the Grammys, with artists like Jon Batiste and vocal powerhouse Samara Joy (who took home Best New Artist in 2023) winning massive mainstream categories.

And then there is Laufey. The 25-year-old artist has single-handedly sparked a massive jazz revival among Gen Z. By blending bossa nova and jazz-pop on TikTok, she is bringing a modern take on the Great American Songbook to millions of teenagers who had never previously listened to the genre.

To see exactly how modern artists are blending classical jazz with a Gen Z appeal, check out this Laufey Tiny Desk Concert. It is a perfect example of why the genre is currently reaching millions of new young listeners.

The Classics Are Fueling the Vinyl Boom

Just like classic cinema, the absolute legends—Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis—aren't going anywhere.

While the rest of the world debates the economics of Spotify, physical media is having a renaissance. Vinyl record sales have grown every single year for over a decade, recently outselling CDs for the first time since 1987. And jazz vinyl records are leading the charge. According to recent data, jazz makes up nearly a quarter of all physical media consumption. Audiophiles and young collectors alike are buying up the classics. Miles Davis's Kind of Blue is still flying off the shelves.

For a complete masterclass in those classics, you just have to look at the Great American Songbook.

If you want to actually understand the music and the history behind these timeless tracks, you need to check out our podcast, I've Heard That Song Before!

Hosted by Joe Hunter—a musician, expert, and teacher of the Great American Songbook—the show breaks down original jazz classics and compares them side-by-side with the covers and remakes that followed over the years. Download and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts!

• Can’t get enough music history? Discover the melodic pulse of the Evergreen network and explore our full lineup of Music Podcasts—from the touring life to the depths fucking beyond the spotlight.

• Want more music content? If you are a true music fan, just listening isn’t enough—you want the context and the stories. Check out our curated guide to the 9 Best Podcasts for Music Lovers to find your next binge-worthy listen.