"What is jazz? It, It's almost like asking, What is French? Jazz is a musical language. It's a musical dialect that actually embodies the spirit of America"

Branford Marsalis is recommending that jazz is a musical language, much like French is a language. He is suggesting that jazz is a musical dialect that is unique to America and embodies the spirit of the country. Jazz is a category of music that originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in African American communities in the Southern United States. It is characterized by syncopated rhythms, improvisation, and a wide variety of musical designs. Jazz has been a fundamental part of American culture for over a century and has actually had a significant influence on other categories of music. Jazz is a musical language that is distinct to America and embodies the spirit of the country. It is a genre of music that has been welcomed by many cultures and continues to be a vital part of American culture.