What is Jazz?

The essence of jazz music is not about the chords or grooves they play, but is rather the freedom of expression. Like Shoppenhaur said (according to my high school jazz teacher), absolute music (music without words) is the greatest form of human expression because it is an ebbing and flowing of human life purely translated onto their instrument, not filtered through word. They allow the music to come out of them and their technical ability comes through in this expression.

I figure that this same essence can flow into all forms of art. In painting: an incredible painter should have sincere technical prowess, which would allow them to paint with freedom and express themselves truly through their paintings.