History Of Jazz Dance Essay

The impact that Louis Armstrong had on jazz music and the Jazz Age was so immaculate that it transformed the genre of this new music for many generations to come. Through his multitudes of different performances during the twenties, he developed new ways and techniques to enhance his playing. Performances were never lacking for Louis he showcased solos, as well as in bands, which expanded his popularity throughout the country. Beginning his career and influence in the twenties, he started off with his solo performances, exhibiting his incredible trumpet and cornet playing as well as adding some singing in with the mix. These bountiful performances allowed him to become invited by his mentor “King” Oliver to be a part of his Creole Jazz Band.

Swing was first introduced by black musicians. Some of them included Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, and Jimmy Lunceford. Interestingly enough, because of the popularity of the music, African Americans were able to produce music and bring it into white society for them to listen to. These African American musicians also influenced many of the white musicians as well. White jazz musicians had taken inspiration from black jazz music for many years, but because of swing, they became even more deeply devoted to integrating this music to blacks and whites.

They were both strictly created by black musicians. These forms of music were popular among both the young and older generations of African Americans. However, outside of the African American race, jazz and hip-hop has become a performance by people of all race and ages. Buddy Bolden invented jazz in 1877 in New Orleans (the guardian, 2010). That is where jazz is known to get its main influence from.

Jazz, a music considered truly ‘American’; a mix of African-American rhythms such as ragtime, blues and gospel, has also been interpreted by the community, ingrained with their own style, their own sabor. Mexican Americans and Jazz have combined so well, that some good bands have been formed and there is a Texas Jazz Festival being held every year, which has been promoted and planned with the participation of Latinos to a great extent. This has been possible thanks to the flexibility of these people, who have opened their arms –and their ears- to the new sounds and who have found ways to make them their

Describe some of the influence of Latin music in the US in the early part of the twentieth century. Latin music influenced the U.S. in the early twentieth century when Mario Bauza first performed in Harlem New York with a blues and Afro-Cuban mixture. However, he was insulted when he played the pieces but defended his country’s music by claiming how popular it soon would be. He described the music as “lemon meringue pie: jazz at the top and Afro-Cuban rhythm at the bottom.” Soon other groups, like the Havana Orchestra played “Peanut Vendor” in a similar style, and Latin dances became ballroom favorite with rumba rhythms. What was the significance of "Machito and His Afro-Cubans"?

He tells them to get there and find their freedom. Lastly, “Negro music was already sending savvy white New Yorkers up to Harlem” (Martin 14). Duke’s music is lovely to everyone. He is able to bring everyone together. Whites are traveling north to Harlem to watch and listen to his band’s performances.

Name Instructor Course Date Duke Ellington Career and adult life Duke Ellington was a real innovator; he used his band to influence the growth of jazz and the American music sector. Like Hajdu noted, I believe Duke Ellington’s music made the real sound of America (72). He was an American bandleader, jazz composer, and pianist, who served for long as leader of big-band jazz. Born to a negro Butler, Ellington took up his the piano at the age of seven searching for dignity, attention, and generational fame. He joined the Elmer Snowden, the Washingtonians in New York (Collier, 46).

Jazz categories include Dixieland, swing, bop, cool jazz, hard bop, free jazz, third stream, jazz-rock, and fusion. Bebop was the first major leap in creating the cultural phenomenon that was jazz. It gained a massive amount of popularity over a short span. Bebop gained popularity in the 1940’s and the reason bebop stayed primarily in African-American culture was that it was too complicated for white musicians to copy. This brought their culture back into the public’s eye.

Singers such as Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday popularized blues and jazz vocals. Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong drew huge audiences as white Americans as well as African Americans caught jazz fever (Kallen 13). The continuing hardships faced by African Americans in the Deep South and the urban North were severe, it took the environment of the new American city to bring in close proximity some of the greatest minds of the day. Harlem brought notice to great works that might otherwise have been lost or never produced. The results were phenomenal; the artists of the Harlem Renaissance undoubtedly transformed African American culture.

Following the evolution of blues, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll, came the introduction to many more genres established by African Americans, such as, Hip hop, R&B and Rap. Today, the musical genres created and influenced by African Americans are top sellers in the country, though jazz isn't as popular today it will remain a big part of American culture and history. ("20th Century Music," n.d.). The unfortunate circumstances of the slave trade introduced America to unique sounds, rhythms and song structures of African tradition and influenced the creation of blues, jazz and many more musical genres. Although racism deemed the early development of African American music “immoral”, the lively and diverse music thrived and spread American culture around the world.

So many new entertainers, musicians, and inventions are becoming such a huge hit. From swinging jazz music to bright lights and the silver screen, this decade will get your shindig pumped up. A new type of music came out, it’s called “jazz music”, there are even different types of jazz just like “cool jazz” and “soul jazz’. This new music brings everyone a new happy atmosphere. Mostly people in black neighborhoods are listening to jazz because it was originated by African music and combined with band instruments and rhythm & blues.

There was also Ragtime music and Broadway musicals that were also very famous. Exuberant dances were invented for the upbeat tempo’s. Jazz spread to many dance alls and other venues. The main form of popular concert music was marching bands and dance bands. The arrival of the radio and the phonograph records introduced jazz to remote locations.

The new form of popular entertainment really kept the 1920’s quite entertained from their political songs, broadsides, dance music, and piano music; how could one be bored? (Funk and Wagnalls) During this era several things began to gain attention, but a couple things in particular really shined through all the pieces coming out in the wave of notoriety. The popular considered to be the “happy-go-lucky,” melodies that centered a lot of popular favorites were coming from a composer of the name Tin Pan Alley. Some of the melodies that were popular were: Whispering, Wang Wang Blues, Wabash Blues, Linger Awhile, Who, My Blue Heaven, Sonny Boy, The Prisoner 's Song, April Showers, My Mammy, Dreamy Melody, and It Ain’t Gonna Rain No More. (Jazz Standards.com) The 1920’s centered around these tunes more than others, but that doesn’t mean they were hated they just weren’t as popular; but despite the rankings the pieces affected the entertainment in the 20’s for the best.

Saxophone and piano were still important, but electric guitar and bass added a different vibe to the music. It was the beginning of a new sound. The main area they wanted to focus their R and B music was in Atlanta Ga. Chuck Willis is considered one of the founded fathers of R and B. He began singing at block parties, dances, and talent shows in Atlanta. In the midst of all this when he met Zenas Sears.

Jazz brought about a new form of music, and the artists allowed people to let loose and find a way to express themselves better. Of all the influential musicians in the time period, there were none better than Jelly Roll Morton, Joe King Oliver, Sidney Bichet, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington. Each artist has their own story, and their own reason for the end of their career. Some lived their life out in fame and glory, while others were shown the more dramatic side of life. Their upbringing may differ, but they all had one thing in common; a lasting contribution for not only the Jazz Era, but for all other generations and genres of music to come.