A wonderful discussion! Anyone from the producer station WETA reading this? Perhaps the local mudcatters could get with the station to do a sequal of sorts! Could be fun.... At least a critique from out of the house or pbs.

Yes! Why didn't Jazz evolve in africa especially parts of Africa which were multi cultural or connected to trade routes. North Africa near spain would seem to be an ideal candidate. As in early midaeval music you find folk quite well connected via trade and troubadours etc...

It is interesting that even in North Africa the british isles were on the edge of the world- furthest distance from them. Perhaps it was the remoteness of this possible catalyst factor that prevented Jazz from predating the landing of the first slaves in North America.

Or maybe it was just the water!

Conrad