Sarcouncil Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies

Abstract: Jazz did not develop in isolation. Its harmonic structures, rhythmic sensibilities, and improvisational approaches draw from African musical traditions that have evolved over more than a century of cultural exchange. Although substantial scholarship has examined this connection, studies remain dispersed across historical, technical, and cultural perspectives, with few accounts tracing how these influences have continuously adapted over time. This review brings the literature together to show that African instrumental principles operate as living musical logics, flexible and evolving frameworks that have guided cross-cultural innovation from early jazz to its contemporary global expressions. A thematic synthesis identifies five recurring strands: diasporic transmission and historical roots; rhythmic innovation and improvisation; hybridity and instrumental adaptation; cultural identity and social resistance; and contemporary extensions and global impact. Across these areas, jazz demonstrates transformative continuity, as African-derived rhythms, communal practices, and aesthetic approaches are continually reinterpreted within new social and instrumental contexts. The review provides a unified lens for understanding jazz as a dynamic dialogue rooted in African traditions and highlights directions for future research on its ongoing evolution.