Definition
“2017 in jazz” refers to the chronological record of notable events, releases, performances, awards, and deaths within the jazz music genre that occurred during the calendar year 2017. It is part of a series of annual overviews that document the development of jazz on a year‑by‑year basis.
Overview
The 2017 overview compiles information from a variety of sources—including music publications, festival programs, record label announcements, and industry award bodies—to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the state of jazz during that year. Typical entries cover:
- Major album releases across sub‑genres such as bebop, free improvisation, fusion, and contemporary jazz.
- Notable live performances and festivals worldwide, including events such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival, and the North Sea Jazz Festival.
- Award ceremonies and recognitions, most prominently the Grammy Awards’ jazz categories, the DownBeat Critics Poll, and the Jazz Journalists Association awards.
- Significant personnel changes, such as new ensemble formations, notable appointments to academic or artistic positions, and the inauguration of jazz residencies.
- The passing of influential musicians, composers, and industry figures whose contributions shaped the genre.
Etymology/Origin
The phrase follows the naming convention of the “Year in [subject]” series commonly used in encyclopedic and archival contexts (e.g., “2017 in music,” “2015 in film”). It designates a temporal focus on a specific discipline—in this case, jazz—allowing for systematic documentation and comparison across years.
Characteristics
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Structure | Typically organized chronologically or thematically, with sections for releases, events, awards, and deaths. |
| Scope | Global, encompassing activities from North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. |
| Sources | Relies on verified industry data: record label catalogues, festival line‑ups, award listings, obituaries in reputable publications, and artist statements. |
| Purpose | Serves scholars, historians, journalists, and enthusiasts as a reference for trends, milestones, and the cultural impact of jazz in a given year. |
| Updates | May be revised to incorporate newly available information or corrections to previously reported data. |
Related Topics
- 2016 in jazz – The preceding year’s overview, documenting events from 2016.
- 2018 in jazz – The subsequent year’s overview, detailing developments in 2018.
- Jazz discographies – Catalogues of recorded works by individual artists or labels.
- Jazz festivals – Annual gatherings dedicated to live jazz performances worldwide.
- Grammy Award for Best Jazz Album – One of the major recognitions highlighted in yearly jazz summaries.
These related entries provide broader context and enable comparative analysis of the evolution of jazz across successive years.