Is Laufey really “Jazz”

 

Laufey is a music artist who has been blowing up for the past few years now. Her music is a blend of jazz, classical, and pop influences. It has a very nostalgic or vintage vibe, but is packaged for a Gen Z audience. Critics like to argue that Laufey is not “real jazz”, as her and her music don’t fully fit the description of jazz. Reasoning that sound alone doesn’t define someone as a jazz artist. As it is a historical tradition, a community of musicians, and a shared musical language that is rooted in Black American history. As jazz is built off of the components of improvisation, live collaboration, and the musicians interacting with one another in real time. learned through playing with others, not just copying a style. As sounding like jazz is not enough, and participating in jazz culture is what really defines it. I do believe that some level of authenticity is needed, but it can be limiting at times. As authenticity is a way to show respect to the origins and history of jazz, and help prevent the genre from being watered down. Meanwhile it can also cause jazz to exclude new artists such as Laufey, and hold jazz back from ever growing. As it is natural for genres to evolve over time and they shouldn’t be restricted to strict definitions.