History Main / JungleJazz

Perhaps this is because jungles are perceived as colorful and diverse environments, which makes them conducive to some fun and catchy jazz. Expect to see jungle animals such as monkeys, birds, elephants, or others as musicians. When animal musicians appear, an elephant will likely play on its trunk like a trumpet or saxophone, and monkeys or apes will drum on tree trunks, coconuts or [[PrimalChestPound their own chest]]. A crocodile's teeth may be played like a xylophone. "Swing" is both a type of jazz, and what monkeys and apes do on vines.

-->-- '''King Louie''', "[[https://youtu.be/pUnaCAOUWKU I Wan'na Be Like You]]", ''WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967''

* Music/{{Osibisa}} were a band formed in London in TheSeventies by expat West Africans from Ghana and Nigeria. Their music was a fusion of jazz/rock with African themes and beats. Despite having a healthy following for their live gigs, record companies took the position that African music would take off in Britain with all the likelihood of an elephant flying. Their first album was a best-seller. Sure enough, there was a flying elephant - which became the band's mascot - on the cover. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky7Tq8laJo8&list=PLIa36ETako3MaZaw7-I0qEuflOniBvTWd&index=20&t=0s Listen here]].

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD54sROmeIM Floral Fury]]" from ''VideoGame/{{Cuphead}}'' is a Latin jazz-themed piece that serves as a Leitmotif for [[ToweringFlower Cagney Carnation]]

** ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'' has "[[https://youtu.be/jjRw9X2Hxro Jungle Hijinx]]", which starts out with tribal drums and ambient jungle sounds, leading up to a swingy tune.

* ''VideoGame/KirbyAndTheRainbowCurse'': "[[https://youtu.be/SvW9qBj_FYQ Watch Out For That Sloth]]" is a jazzy tune that plays in the level "Deep-Divin' Kirby Submarine," in which Kirby transforms into a submarine and rides through a jungle river while enemy sloths throw projectiles at him.
* ''VideoGame/LittleBigPlanet's'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8P8wqpGO3k Savannah Theme]], which plays in the African jungle-based area, mixes tribal chants with jazz in its VariableMix.

* The ''WesternAnimation/BettyBoop'' short "I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You" involved Betty's adventures on a jungle expedition. Betty, Bimbo, and Koko the clown are menaced by tribe of cannibals--who are all caricatures of Music/LouisArmstrong and His Orchestra (who also provide the cartoon's whole soundtrack).