Jazz

"*Now, look, bro, you gotta have fun while you here, but I got a word of advice for you. This town will try to make you forget who you are and where you came from. Don't let it do that.*"
—Jazz to Will[src]
**Jazz** is a main character on Peacock's modern-day reinterpretation, *Bel-Air*. He is portrayed by Jordan L. Jones.

Jazz is a Compton native who befriends Will following his arrival in Bel-Air.

## Biography

### Driving Will home

Jazz picks Will up from LAX and drives him to his family's mansion in Bel-Air. He assesses that Will is from West Philly and then pulls over to the side of the road for Will to get a good view of California. While Jazz tells Will to have fun while he can, he also offers a few words of wisdom, telling Will not to allow Bel-Air to make him forget who he is and where he came from. They get back in the car and pull up to Will's family's mansion, where they are greeted by Geoffrey, the house manager, who pays Jazz's $200 transportation fee. However, Jazz later returns after getting a call from Will to take him back to LAX. However, before they can pull off, Uncle Phil and Geoffrey intervene, paying Jazz off for his time and escorting Will back inside.

Jazz pulls up to the court to play some ball with Will, who prepares for try-outs. However, Will is off his game, which doesn't go unnoticed by Jazz, who inquiries further. Will is vague in details, but tells Jazz the gist of what went down in Philly; how he pulled out a gun after a basketball game, which resulted in him moving to Bel-Air. Jazz can relate, as he too has seen some things he can't shake either.

### Setting up an Instagram with Hilary

Jazz receives an unexpected visit at the shop from Hilary and Ashley, who asks if they can put a poster in the window. While Ashley does this, Jazz introduces himself to Hilary. She didn't know he also worked in a record store, along with being a driver, but Jazz reveals that he owns the shop. Hilary offers to help with his store's social media presence, but Jazz doesn't have any social media, which Hilary offers to fix. And so, she records Jazz as he gives a tour of his shop. She then encourages her followers to come shop with Jazz and follows him on IG herself. He remarks that she's good at social media, but apparently, she's not good enough, as none of the influencer houses have offered her a spot. Jazz can relate, recalling how his Uncle Charlie opened up this shop and put everything he had into it. Jazz is just trying to keep the legacy alive. He believes that Hilary will find her way, too.

Will stops by the shop to get a break from Carlton. They are joined by one of Jazz's frequent customers, LA rapper and singer, Buddy, who needs some new sounds, and Jazz has exactly what he needs. Before he leaves, Jazz asks for a pic for Instagram. Once he's gone, Will reveals to Jazz that he agreed to play nice with his cousin because his aunt said she'd fly out Tray, but he's finding it difficult to be in Carlton's presence. Jazz simply replies that he hopes whatever argument Will had with Carlton was worth it.

### Confronting Kylo

Jazz attends Will's party, where he decides to keep Hilary company after seeing her Thirsty Chef video, which admittedly wasn't her brand. They head into her father's office, where they proceed to kiss until Hilary learns that Kylo is at an influencer party in Hollywood. They decide to confront him and demand that he take the video down, but upon their arrival, Hilary is swayed by the numbers, the praise, and the opportunities that have all manifested from her one video. Jazz tells her that she can't put a price on dignity and accuses her of selling out, which Hilary writes off as him simply not understanding social media, especially considering he didn't have one until he met her. Jazz understood enough for her to drag him down to Hollywood to have her back, he comments. She offers to give him gas money for his troubles, but he is insulted by her misunderstanding of his point.

Jazz attends Will's 17th birthday party, where he is approached by Hilary, who apologizes for their last encounter and admits that he was right about Kylo. She hasn't told her parents yet, but she ditched Kylo and quit the house. However, in doing so, she's staying at a hotel and owes Kylo $50,000 for breaking the contract. Jazz assures her that she will figure it out.

### Bonding with Hilary

Jazz assists Hilary with breaking into Kylo's content creator house and stealing back her stuff, though he does question why they're stealing her own stuff instead of just getting money from her father to pay the kill fee of her contract. Hilary explains that she'd rather do it on her own, with help from Jazz of course, for which she owes him. In that case, Jazz proposes they go back to his place after, but Hilary suggests he come back with her to her hotel room and order room service.

Jazz arrives at Viv's gala, where he greets Hilary and meets Ivy, who he is a bit flirtatious with, which doesn't go unnoticed by Hilary. After advising Will to be honest with Lisa about his feelings, Jazz goes back to the hotel with Hilary. The next day, he tells Hilary that he's glad she left the influencer house and that he wants to keep whatever they have going for as long as possible. After Hilary reveals that she managed to extend Ivy's reach, similar to Jazz's record store, he tells Hilary that her ability to strategize is worth more than just posing for some pics and suggests that she should start thinking of Ivy as a partner. Hilary then gets a call from Will, which she ignores, leading Will to call Jazz, as he knows that they're together.

After hearing that Will ran away from home after learning the truth about his dad and that his aunt and uncle have been lying to him, Jazz goes to meet with him. Will feels as though nobody wants him, but Jazz reminds him that there's a house full of people in Bel-Air who want him. Still, Will refuses to go back, recalling one of the first things Jazz said to him, that the city would try to make him forget who he is and where he comes from. Jazz tells Will that remembering where he comes from doesn't mean he can't change his life for the better. "The key to happiness is staying true to who you are, no matter where you are." Jazz tells Will that this moment is all him and that he has all these possibilities and choices in front of him. Now, it's up to him to make a choice himself.

### Making it official

Will has been staying on Jazz's couch the last two weeks. And while he wants to give Will his freedom, he can't help but notice how comfortable Will has gotten in the streets. Jazz seeks to make his relationship with Hilary official by arriving together to Ashley's party, but she fears that labeling it will ruin a good thing. And so, when Jazz arrives at Ashley's party, he and Ivy dance, much to Hilary's dismay, though she doesn't interject until Ivy kisses Jazz, at which point, Hilary asks him to be her man, realizing then how much he means to her.

Jazz reluctantly agrees to allow Hilary to drive his cherished Impala for her influencer house promotional video, though he makes her promise that no one else will drive his car, only for Jazz to arrive at the influencer house later that day and catch Ivy behind the wheel. He confronts Hilary and questions how Ivy's always forcing Hilary to do things. He also wonders if Hilary would've even called him her boyfriend if Ivy hadn't kissed him. Jazz realized that only he posted about their relationship on IG. Hilary never said she'd do that because she has to maintain an aura of obtainability, which frustrates Jazz. However, Hilary apologize and takes the next step in their relationship by revealing to her parents that she and Jazz are dating.

Jazz reveals that his parents are coming over for dinner, which he cautiously invites Hilary to intend after she accuses him of not wanting her to meet his parents. Jazz tells his parents that Hilary is amazing and not to go too hard on her, as Hilary is different from what they're used to. However, to Jazz's surprise, Hilary arrives in a hijab and greets his parents accustom to their Muslim religion. Throughout the night, spouts random Muslim facts as if she was Wikipedia, which Jazz later confronts her about. Hilary simply wanted his parents to like her and in the process she acted a little crazy, which she regrets. Jazz only regrets that they didn't get to meet the real Hilary. Hilary wonders if they're too different, but Jazz insists they aren't and says they will always ride for each other.

Jazz attends Viv's art gallery, where he meets NFL superstar Lamarcus Alton, who he learns his Hilary's ex-boyfriend. Jazz questions why Hilary and LaMarcus broke up. She explains that he got transferred to Philly, leading Jazz to suspect that they would still be together if he never left, though Hilary insists that she's happy with Jazz and that she only invited him as a chance to boost her influencer house's reach. Jazz insists that he's fine as Hilary joins the girls in getting more footage, but he watches disgruntledly as LaMarcus interacts with the Banks.

### Dumped by Hilary

After some encouragement from Will, Jazz plans a date for him and Hilary at her favorite restaurant. He was hoping they could go back to the way things were, but just as they're about to kiss, the waitress reveals that his card has declined. Jazz becomes upset and insists that his card has money. Hilary offers to pay, frustrating Jazz even further. When they return home, Jazz insists that he had the money and wishes Hilary didn't cover the bill. He's upset that she didn't believe he had the money and brings up Lamarcus. She tells Jazz that he's ruining the night and that she's tired of dancing around his insecurities. She asks him about the date and says that how much money he has doesn't matter to her. Jazz doesn't believe that's true and is doubtful she wants to walk red carpets with an Uber driver. He sees how her influencer friends look at him as nothing more than a setback for her and a come up for him. Hilary refuses to argue any further. If Jazz can't look past their differences, then they can't be together, with Hilary declaring the end of their relationship.

Jazz hosts his first meet and greet at Charlie's Vinyl, which Hilary helped him plan. He streams the party through his IG live and invites the rap group Coast Contra. Jazz watches the door, hopeful that Hilary will arrive at some point throughout the night, but she never does, at least not to his knowledge.

Despite his last encounter with Will at the beach ending on a bad note, Jazz attends the Founder's Award in support of Will. There, Will expresses the gratitude he has for Jazz, who has always looked out for him. Jazz forgives Will and asks if Hilary is coming, but Will reveals that's packing for a trip to Paris with Lamarcus. Jazz realizes he's made the biggest mistake of his life, at which point, Will tells Jazz that he still has a chance to get her back. Jazz pays Hilary a visit, as doesn't want to leave anything unsaid. Jazz loves Hilary, something he's never said to any other woman beyond his mom. He can't promise her that she'll never hurt again, but he's willing to take that chance on her and asks if she's willing to take it on him, but she's not sure. When she does, Jazz tells Hilary that she knows where to find him, as he kisses her before leaving. Unfortunately for Jazz, Hilary chooses Lamarcus.

## Appearances

* Keep Ya Head Up
* Yamacraw (credit only)
* Canvass
* PA to LA (credit only)
* The Strength to Smile (credit only)
* Payback's A B\*tch
* No One Wins When the Family Feuds
* Can't Knock the Hustle
* Where To?
* Speaking Truth
* Compromised (credit only)
* Don't Kill My Vibe
* Excellence Is Everywhere
* Let the Best Man Win (credit only)
* Under Pressure
* Pursuit of Happiness (credit only)
* Just Like Old Times
* Don't Look Back

## References

1. ↑ Season 1, Episode 1: ***Dreams and Nightmares***
2. ↑ Season 1, Episode 2: ***Keep Ya Head Up***
3. ↑ Season 1, Episode 4: ***Canvass***
4. ↑ Season 1, Episode 7: ***Payback's A B\*tch***
5. ↑ Season 1, Episode 8: ***No One Wins When the Family Feuds***
6. ↑ Season 1, Episode 9: ***Can't Knock the Hustle***
7. ↑ Season 1, Episode 10: ***Where To?***
8. ↑ Season 2, Episode 1: ***A Fresh Start***
9. ↑ Season 2, Episode 2: ***Speaking Truth***
10. ↑ Season 2, Episode 4: ***Don't Kill My Vibe***
11. ↑ Season 2, Episode 5: ***Excellence Is Everywhere***
12. ↑ Season 2, Episode 7: ***Under Pressure***
13. ↑ Season 2, Episode 8: ***Just Like Old Times***
14. ↑ Season 2, Episode 8: ***Don't Look Back***