Carolyn Graham claims (2006) Jazz Chant is a rhythmic expression of natural language
which links the rhythms of spoken American English to the rhythms of traditional American
jazz. The rhythms, stress and intonation pattern of the chant should be an exact replica of
what the student would hear from an educated native speaker in natural conversation.
Carolyn Graham discovered Jazz Chants only by accident while playing the piano in
one bar. Her friend came to her said several words in which she could feel exactly the music
beat she was playing. That way she found the connection between traditional American jazz
and spoken American English.
The music for chants is often taken from some traditional English songs so the
children can concentrate on the words and rhythm more because they already know the
melody from the original songs, for instance melodies from Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star or
Are You Sleeping. (Graham, 2006)