Final answer:
It is true that jazz cannot be easily defined by a set of strict rules due to its complex and evolving nature, born from a fusion of musical traditions such as ragtime and blues, particularly during the Harlem Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that it is nearly impossible to come up with a set of hard and fast rules to define jazz. Jazz, as a genre, evolved from a melange of musical traditions, most notably ragtime and blues. This new style of music, which emerged from black communities and featured an upbeat tempo with improvised solos, reflects the highs and lows of life in enclaves like New Orleans. Jazz's broad and varied nature makes it difficult to pin down with strict definitions, as it encompasses a wide range of influences, styles, and individual expressions.
During the 1920s, also known as the Jazz Age, the genre flourished and spread from African American clubs in cities like New Orleans and Chicago to New York and even reached international fame. The era's cultural movements, such as the Harlem Renaissance, saw the rise of iconic jazz musicians like Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway. Harlem's nightlife, with famous venues like the Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater, became the melting pot for different styles, contributing to the genre's evolving definition and its resistance to fixed categorization.