In Cuba, music is life and life is music. All times of the day and night, music pours into the streets from homes, cars, businesses, and the like.  It is the reason for the warm, loving, and optimistic spirit of the Cuban people long noted by visitors, despite their daily reality.  Cubans enjoy all types of music, but particularly their own, whether it be bolero, son, regueton, rap, changui, timba, songo, or rumba, to name a few, because it tells a story, expresses popular feelings, and unites people. Jazz is no different!
 
Before and after the abolition of slavery in Cuba (1886), many black Cubans immigrated to New Orleans and introduced rhythms and styles that had been developed in Cuba.  At the same time, black New Orleanians were sent to Cuba during the U.S. intervention in the Cuban independence wars against Spain in 1898. During that time, New Orleans musicians introduced brass instruments to their Cuban brethren.  Fighting during the war only lasted a few days, but New Orleanians remained for up to 4 years, as part of the U.S. occupation. The soldiers worked together during the day, and passed the nights doing what Cubans and New Orleanians do best... making music and having a good time.  These conditions were perfect for the exchange, which would spawn a new musical genre- jazz.