As the genre evolved,the music split into a number of different styles,from the speedy,hard-hitting rhythms of be-bop and the laid-back,mellow harmonies of cool jazz to the jittery,atonal forays of free jazz and the earthy grooves of soul jazz.

• 随着这一新风格的发展，爵士乐被分成了几个流派：从快速，节奏硬朗的比博普，以及有着松弛，柔美旋律的酷派爵士乐,到以颤抖，无调的打击乐为主的自由爵士，还有散发着朴实韵味的心灵爵士。