The Rise of Jazz Music
Jazz music first got its start in New Orleans during the early twentieth century. The development of jazz as a prominent musical style was owed largely to the concentration and sheer number of African-Americans in the area. As is the case with virtually every musical genre imaginable, early jazz musicians took influence from previous styles of music. Spirituals and early African music were used to shape styles such as blues, jazz, and ragtime. Jazz would then be considered a culmination of many different influences, one of several that evolved from pre-existing genres.
While the birthplace of jazz is thought of by many as New Orleans, the most prominent jazz hotspots in the 1920s were Chicago and New York. Not just confined to certain groups of people, jazz became a nationally recognized form of music. Jazz was one of the most popular styles to hear on the newly invented radio. While initially more popular in Chicago, the single most important city for jazz was New York. Jazz music
Cultural Significance of Jazz
Jazz music became synonymous with the 1920s, leading historians to call this time "The Jazz Age". Young Americans became enamored with jazz music, frequently going out to clubs to hear and experience it. Jazz music, not only because of its sound but because of the values it represented, was a hallmark of the Roaring Twenties.
Famous Jazz Musicians of the 1920s
Louis Armstrong
Often considered the most famous and influential jazz artist of all time, Louis Armstrong performed for bands in New York and Chicago before beginning his own band, the Hot Five. He revolutionized the way jazz music was played and pioneered the style known as "scat".
Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington contributed greatly to jazz music in the 1920s and 1930s. He favored an orchestral approach to jazz, arranging compositions and using keen musical form.
Sources:
http://www.jazzstandards.com/history/history-2.htm
jazzbiographies.com
historyjazz.com
Sources:
http://www.jazzstandards.com/history/history-2.htm
jazzbiographies.com
historyjazz.com
Jazz was such a hit as you said in the 1920's. Is there a reason you think it has died out over the years? Why do the generations of today identify more with rap or hip hop then jazz?
ReplyDeleteI think music evolves over time, and what is popular in the public eye right now may not be as popular later on. To answer your question, I think we have to look at the most prominent demographic-the young people. Their tastes have a really big impact on the culture of our country. Just like jazz in the 1920s and rock-n-roll in the middle of the century, certain musical genres are popular with youth right now. That being said, hip-hop owes a great deal to jazz music and its predecessors. In many ways, it is an evolution of blues, jazz, and even the spiritual hymns that came before all of it. It is taking elements from a previous genre and adding something new, just like jazz.
DeleteThis was a really interesting article, thanks for posting. Jazz had a key influence during the Harlem Renaissance as well. It became a respectable music form, and diverse crowds formed to enjoy these performances. Some of the clubs you mentioned included the Cotton Club and Connie's in Harlem. But most importantly, I think the jazz movement/ Harlem Renaissance allowed Americans to appreciate African American art forms and helped several African Americans utilize their musical and artistic talents.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.britannica.com/event/Harlem-Renaissance-American-literature-and-art/Fiction
Jazz took a major hit for fame in the 1920's. I like how you stated "Young Americans became enamored with jazz music, frequently going out to clubs to hear and experience it. Jazz music, not only because of its sound but because of the values it represented, was a hallmark of the Roaring Twenties" I think it is important to recognize how the music really reflected the hardships and celebrations of the situation and time.To this day, Jazz is still widely listened too, and it is cool to see how it has evolved.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really cool post. I really liked how you mentioned the fact that there was a time known as "The Jazz Age" I think it is still widely known, but it is just played a little less than it was back then and it could be because of all the new genres being introduced in today's world
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really cool post. I really liked how you mentioned the fact that there was a time known as "The Jazz Age" I think it is still widely known, but it is just played a little less than it was back then and it could be because of all the new genres being introduced in today's world
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. Why do you think music has changed so much since this time period?
ReplyDelete