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Beginning of a Musical Style Called Jazz
As slavery began to end, former slaves began to have opportunities to be entertainers in many different types of establishments. From this, an early form of Jazz known as Ragtime started to emerge in the deep south in cities like Louisiana. -
The Come up
By the 1900's Jazz had started to become a household genre of music. This genre was known as the melting pot of music at the time. Opera, military marching bands, folk music, the blues, different types of church music, ragtime, echoes of traditional African drumming, all came together to make what is now Jazz music. -
Louis Armstrong: The Pioneer of the Sound
Louis armstrong, born in New Orleans, started playing cornet at the age of 13. Louis introduced the idea of individuals soloing, while the rest of the group was accompaniment. This varied from the popular style of jazz of the time known as Dixieland jazz. where the whole group took part in collective improvisation. -
Hotspots of the Sound
In the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, African American musicians began gathering in New Orleans. They would congregate to improvise and share their music. Chicago in the 1920s held great opportunities for musicians. The city was dominated by gangsters and their cabaret and dance clubs. The "New Orleans sound" spread throughout Chicago's South Side. The early New York Jazz music was influenced by ragtime music, which had been popular there in the early 1900s. -
W.C. Handy: The Father of the Blues
W.C. Handy was fascinated by the folk blues sound coming from the deep south. He enjoyed the sounds of 3rd and 7th chords that were common in this style. Mr. Handy decided to use these ideas in his own works. The publication of "Memphis Blues" introduced the concept of the 12 bar blues to the genre. -
Introduction of Swing
Many jazz composers started to try to loosen the rigid sounding structure of Ragtime by doing what is now known as swing. -
Jazz Influence on The Youth
1920s youth used the influence of jazz to rebel against the traditional culture of previous generations. This youth rebellion of the 1920s went hand-in-hand with fads like bold fashion statements , women smoking cigarettes, free talk about sex, and new radio concerts. Dances like the Charleston, developed by African Americans, suddenly became popular among the youth.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_Age -
Race Relations, And Jazz.
Even though African Americans were leading the way in terms of skill and composition, not surprisingly, the most financially successful jazz bands of the 1920s were predominantly white. However some black jazz composers were able to appeal to a broader audience and bridge the gap for black and white artists to be recognized as equally talented. -
The sound of swing
Swing rythms and swing dances started to become a popular part of american culture by the 1930s -
Popular Jazz Today
Today, jazz is past it's prime. Jazz's influence still lives on though. Many concepts introduced by old traditional jazz are used today in many pop songs, such as diminished chords, and swing feel.
