Out Chorus depicts a vibrant scene of bright colors and varied textures that translates the dynamic and complex musical genre of jazz into visual terms. In a tight jazz band, individual voices blend into a complete, balanced ensemble. Echoing this harmony in his choice of media, Bearden started with collaged elements that he then translated into a screen print. Every layer of ink adds a piece of information to the composition, placing importance on each individual part in order to reveal the whole.

Originally derived from African American spirituals and work songs, jazz music is intertwined with the social fabric of America. Jazz performance requires improvisation from skilled musicians who draw on a deep knowledge of rhythm, melody, and harmony. Romare Bearden lived in the New York City neighborhood of Harlem, a traditionally African American community where jazz music flourished alongside literature and visual art.