[Dixielandjazz] More on the origin of the word jazz

[Jack Mitchell]

Norman Vickers offers us Clarence Major as a authority on the origin of the 
word JAZZ. As Mr. Major gives half a dozen possible sources, it is obvious 
that he is not an authority at all. I have read other versions by people 
clutching at straws but I won't quote them here as they are no more reliable 
than Mr. Major's guesses.

The only conclusion I can draw is that the origin of the word JAZZ applied 
to music is unknown, and likely to remain so.

For the best investigation of the matter, see OUR WORD JAZZ  byDick Holbrook 
in Storyville magazine (London) issue number 50, December 1973/January 1974, 
where early use of the word is investigated in detail.

Best wishes

Jack Mitchell