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History of the Jazz Web

By Michael Ricci
June 21, 2023
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History of the Jazz Web: History of the Jazz Web

A friend recently queried ChatGPT with "The First Jazz Website" and emailed me the results (see below). As we've come to learn, AI needs fact checking and in this case, if it were 100% accurate, Jazz Online and Jazz Central Station would have appeared on this list and above JazzTimes and Downbeat (relative late comers).

In the early days, the websites that pushed the envelope were AAJ, Jazz Online, Jazz Central Station (a heavily-funded, resource-intensive website built during 14.4 dial-up times) and to a lesser extent, Jazz Review (US). All predated blogs by 8-9 years.

What I loved most about the early days of the internet (circa 1995-1999) was the freedom to experiment and explore without having to adhere to established standards. In many ways, we set the standards. Blogs became a thing around the launching of WordPress and Google's Blogger in 2003-2004. Speaking of WordPress and their connection to jazz... the content management system began a tradition (in January 2004) of naming its major releases after famous jazz musicians and named version 1.0 "Davis" after the Prince of Darkness.

As an aside, I couldn't help but notice Chat GPT referred to our community—meaning you—as vibrant. Vibrant is nice, but I think AI can do better.

Posted to Publisher's Desk IN THE All About Jazz GROUP
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