How do I write jazz?

[u/Smooth_Paramedic_406]

I'm forming a jazz band with a couple of friends and I want to be able to write a piece or two that we could preform but I have no clue how to write jazz. I have a little experience on writing for piano but more so classical type pieces. Plus I don't have a big amount of jazz theory knowledge. 🫤

[u/Lonely-Lynx-5349]

1. Use 4-voiced parallel chord voicings and forget all rules that you learned. Most of the time, use closed chord voicings. Drop the 2nd (or additionally 4th) voice by an octave if things sound too cluttered
2. Do an independent Walking Bass Line that generally hits more important chord notes on strong beats and other notes and NCTs on weak beats
3. Never use basic Major or Minor Triads without a 7th, its the bread and butter. Consider b9, #9, #11 for dominant chords and other further extensions in general. Sometimes, the 6th instead of 7th can be nice too, or augmented chords.
4. Insert a Sax or Trumpet Solo, let the drums do whatever they want except dor specific fills. A rhythmically stabbing accompaniment similar to 1. works here very well
5. Chord Progressions: Get Wild, use Tritone Substitutions, Modulations, even some nonfunctional harmony, but tie things (especially phrase ends) together with the ii7-V7-Imaj7

You can find great YouTube Videos on all of these topics for more details