The Resurgence of Jazz in Modern Music

Words: Aliki Barnes

From the bars of New Orleans to festival stages and TikTok feeds, jazz is finding a new audience.

Once considered niche, the genre is now resurgent through artists like Laufey, Ezra Collective and Yussef Dayes, connecting with a younger generation of listeners discovering modern jazz through streaming and social media.

To understand the appeal of jazz in today's world, it's worth looking back at the pioneers who blazed the trail.

From the revolutionary tunes of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band to the era-defining brilliance of Louis Armstrong, jazz has always defied conventions and boundaries.

From New Orleans to the Jazz Age

In 1917, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band launched the very first jazz record. This historic moment marked the birth of a musical genre that would revolutionise the musical landscape.

The syncopated rhythms and exuberant melodies swiftly captivated people’s attention and set the stage for the emergence of the Jazz Age.

As the 1930s unfolded, jazz bands grew in size, with luminaries such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Count Basie pushing the boundaries and selling millions of records worldwide.

Jazz was no longer just a genre; it had become a cultural phenomenon.

Why Jazz Is Finding a New Audience

Fast forward to the present day, and jazz is enjoying a long overdue comeback, also benefitting from the influence of social media.

Platforms like TikTok, with a massive 1.7 billion users (80% of them under the age of 35), have become essential tools for modern jazz artists seeking visibility and global reach.

Similarly, Instagram, with its 1.35 billion users worldwide, has provided a stage for musicians to showcase their talents and connect with fans.

When an artist’s song goes viral, it might be just a fleeting trend, but in some cases it becomes a launchpad for their career.

How TikTok Helped Bring Jazz Back

One example of this phenomenon is Laufey, a 22-year-old Gen Z jazz sensation from Iceland, whose music is heavily influenced by jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald and George Gershwin.

Her unique style features soulful melodies blended with smooth jazz harmonies and bossa nova rhythms, but Laufey stands out for her ability to communicate deep emotions with lyrics that strongly resonate with her younger audience.

On social media, she actively engages with her followers, building a devoted fan base and sharing her musical journey step-by-step.

It’s clear to see this newly found appetite for modern jazz is growing. Laufey’s track From the Start, released in May this year, has surpassed 140 million Spotify streams.

Its popularity stems from this unique combination of soothing jazz sounds and poetic lyrics that tell the story of an unrequited crush - a sticky situation we can all relate to.

Why Modern Jazz Resonates With Younger Listeners

The mellifluous and flowing melodies of jazz music serve as an ideal backdrop for heartfelt lyrical poetry.

The sound of modern jazz has the power to whisk listeners away into romantic daydreams, and when coupled with relatable and soul-stirring lyrics, a winning combination emerges that is sure to strike a chord with younger audiences.

In fact, this is exactly what happened when Bruno Major’s hit track Nothing (2020) went viral on TikTok last year. Artists operating in similarly genre-blurring spaces - such as MK. Gee - reflect this wider shift towards emotionally driven, atmospheric music shaped by internet culture and experimentation.

"The impact of social media as a catalyst in his career is undeniable, but it also highlights the growing demand for this nouveau-jazz sound among younger listeners..."

Bruno Major, British singer-songwriter and contemporary of Laufey, is known for his modern take on classic songwriting with deep roots in old-school jazz.

Earlier this year, Major unveiled his latest album Colombo, which he is currently touring across 32 venues worldwide. Frequently posting on Instagram and TikTok, Major offers exclusive behind-the-scenes peeks at his creative process and teasers of new music.

The impact of social media as a catalyst in his career is undeniable, but it also highlights the growing demand for this nouveau-jazz sound among younger listeners.

The Artists Leading Jazz’s Modern Revival

The rise in jazz's popularity among younger audiences is evident in the compelling statistics Spotify has revealed.

The platform reports that approximately 40% of jazz listening is attributed to listeners under 30 - a proportion that has remained consistent since 2014. Meanwhile, Laufey currently stands at 12.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

The influence of modern jazz's resurgence is not confined to the digital realm, as it continues to resonate in live music spaces too. Prominent jazz acts including Sons of Kemet and The Comet is Coming have appeared at festivals such as Glastonbury.

New jazz festivals have also emerged, exemplified by DJ Gilles Peterson's We Out Here festival in Huntingdon, reflecting the genre's increasing appeal to a more musically discerning young audience.

Ezra Collective, Yussef Dayes and the London Jazz Scene

While jazz is crossing over into the mainstream, there’s still a thriving underground jazz movement worth mentioning too.

Jam nights and acts like Steamdown are adored by loyal London jazz fans, while venues across the capital continue to nurture the city’s evolving sound.

From Soho institutions to intimate listening rooms, London’s live scene remains central to the resurgence of contemporary jazz - something explored further in our guide to the best live jazz venues in London.

"Ezra Collective's journey from the underground jazz scene to mainstream recognition highlights the growing acceptance and appreciation of contemporary jazz music..."

Ezra Collective, a British jazz band, have gained widespread recognition for their energetic live performances and fusion of jazz with elements of Afrobeat and hip-hop.

Earlier this year, their album You Can't Steal My Joy won the prestigious Mercury Award, marking the first time a jazz record received the honour.

Ezra Collective's journey from the underground jazz scene to mainstream recognition highlights the growing acceptance and appreciation of contemporary jazz music.

Collectives such as SAULT have similarly demonstrated how boundary-pushing British music projects can move from cult admiration into wider cultural influence while maintaining a strong artistic identity.

Jazz’s Return to the Mainstream Stage

Another alumnus of the London underground jazz scene is Yussef Dayes, a drummer known for his unique approach to rhythm and improvisation.

Dayes performed tracks from his latest album Black Classical Music at London’s 5,000-seater Royal Albert Hall.

It’s remarkable that Dayes has risen to such prominence as a drummer - a feat that would have seemed unimaginable just a decade ago.

His story is a testament to how modern jazz continues to evolve and captivate audiences, both in the shadows and under the spotlight.

Jazz has always been timeless, from the Original Dixieland Jazz Band and Louis Armstrong to John Coltrane and Miles Davis, but with the popularity of acts like Laufey and Bruno Major, the genre appears to be flourishing once again.

The Jazz Tracks Defining the Moment

Regents Park - Bruno Major

Breathe - Sam Wills

Truth - Kamasi Washington

Space 2 - Nala Sinephro

Drunk on a Flight - Eloise