ABSTRACT
This “Introduction” provides a short background on jazz as it has been employed as a diplomatic tool since the last century. This music has been associated with the philosophy of freedom, as shown by its reliance on individual creativity. Herein lies the foundation as to why jazz relates to politics, and why it represents the idea of Americanism. However, outside America, jazz has been interpreted in various ways, according to the changing contexts of politics and society around it, often providing a basis for criticizing America itself. The music has also been successful in encouraging transnational ties among fans and musicians in a global context. Keeping these various contexts of jazz in mind, we should not limit jazz’s historical role to Americanism and its associated ideas. Rather, there is a need to examine the development of jazz outside America, including across diverse historical periods and geographical places. Such an approach promises to shed important light on the influences of jazz within a global context.
