Lotus Jazz

Release 1 package
Inside the box

Lotus Jazz is an integrated suite of word processor, spreadsheet, database, graphics, and communication software designed for the Macintosh 512K. The name was intended to evoke a group of musicians who together create something larger than each of the individual players.[1] It was released in 1985 and retailed for US$595 (equivalent to $1,686 in 2023).

The Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet was the killer application for the business-oriented IBM PC, and Jazz was an attempt to recreate that success for Macintosh. With the tagline "The software Macintosh was invented for," and promoted on TV at great expense,[2] it was poorly received by reviewers and consumers and became a high-profile flop. In 1988, Lotus was on the verge of releasing an improved version as Modern Jazz, but the project was cancelled.[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference mccomb was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference farber was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Markoff, John (June 16, 1988). "Modern Jazz Software Is Canceled by Lotus". New York Times.