Third Stream

Third Stream music crept into existence in the late 1950s, somewhere between the jazz clubs of New York and the slightly confused faces of classical musicians. It’s a delightful blend of jazz improvisation with classical structure, which probably sounded like a bit of a muddle at first, as if Mozart had borrowed Miles Davis's trumpet for a cheeky jam session. Fans often argue about which side prevails—should we swing or should we stick to the score?—but the result is usually something that’s both sophisticated and a tad confused, much like someone trying to dance the tango in wellies.