In order to gather information to write this paper, research was conducted at a downtown bar by observing a four piece jazz band and its audience.

On first observing with the notion of "jazz as language" in mind, one very important question arose-what types of things does language convey? Frankly, the answer to this question could continue into book length, but there are several key correlations that the research revealed between the functions of jazz and verbal speaking as language types.

The most obvious similarity is that jazz, like verbal speaking, is used to explain ideas and stories in great detail and emotion. Jazz expresses these ideas and stories to the audience through two distinct entities, group conversation and personal interpretation.

On explaining these entities, one

Each musician uses his/her solo to interpret and comment on the conversation differently, even sometimes taking the time to tell his/her own story, yet, as a rule, will never stray too far from the emotion and theme of the conversation between his/her fellow band members. There is one exception to the rule. If encouraged verbally by the audience, mostly through yells of excitement, admiration, and acceptance, then the musician will begin to "speak" directly to the audience, often becoming louder and more animated, in the process straying away from his/her original conversation. The musician is simply joining in the audience's excitement. In a way, he/she is thanking them for their comments on what they wanted to hear. He/she will then fall back into his/her original theme with the band until the solo is finished. Not until a solo is finished can another musician start to "speak," unless clearly expected. When expected, several musicians would solo together, trading short "licks" back and forth. This serves as a "discussion" on the conversation. It can be used so that two or more musicians may agree on a topic, or argue back and forth. This often sounds similar to a call and response method. If soloing alone, it would be taboo for a musician to interrupt another musician's solo. Clear turn taking seems to be quite understood in jazz.

At the conclusion of a jazz piece, the theme, or conversation, is always restated by the band to the audience. If the audience reacts to this conclusion by clapping and smiling, then the band knows that they hav

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Approximate Word count = 1060
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)