Jazz arose in the American south in the late 19th century, and its spirit of freedom from limitations has helped it to spread around the world. Taiwan’s freedom and cultural richness have enabled a diverse array of contemporary jazz bands to thrive, and some have integrated elements from genres such as Chinese classical music, Hakka folk songs, and indigenous people’s music into their work. Meanwhile, two of Taiwan’s major cities, Taipei and Taichung, hold international jazz festivals annually.