How exactly is jazz ‘improvised?’

Question

I understand that often times jazz is improvised, but how, exactly? For instance, who leads? Is it always the same person/instrument leading?

In: 48

Answer 1

Usually songs have a structure within which variation is possible. For example the structure could be expressed by chords strummed by a guitarist. As long as the musicians are aware of the structure and play music that more or less fits with the structure, they have a lot of leeway. Skilled jazz player are able to push the boundaries of what can fit inside a particular song’s structure

In some cases the band might have some kind of anchor, like the strumming guitarist, or a drummer, playing a fixed, conventional part to keep everybody aware of where they are in the song but in other cases, the entire ensemble might be aware of the structure in their minds, but might all be improvising to a shared mental image of the song’s structure.