Crossword Genius

Jazz fans head-to-head with very absorbing musical instruction (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

staccato

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'jazz fans head-to-head with very absorbing musical instruction' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'jazz fans head-to-head' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'to' is within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for staccato that I've seen before include "With notes sharply separated (music)" , "Discontinuous" , "With every note detached in cats's coat" , "instruction to musicians" , "not running smoothly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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