Which musical style gained popularity during the Harlem Renaissance and is a precursor to jazz?

The musical style that gained popularity during the Harlem Renaissance and serves as a precursor to jazz is ragtime. Ragtime emerged in the late 19th century and is characterized by its syncopated rhythms and lively melodies, typically played on the piano. It laid the groundwork for jazz by introducing rhythmic complexity and improvisational elements that would later be developed in the jazz genre.

During the Harlem Renaissance, which celebrated African American culture, arts, and intellect in the 1920s, ragtime showcased the talents of Black musicians and composers, significantly influencing the music scene of the time. While blues and swing are also important in the history of American music, they emerged later or represent distinct styles that followed the innovations of ragtime. Classical music, although it has influences on all American music forms, did not directly contribute to the origins of jazz in the same way that ragtime did.