Jazz Informative Essay

“Even before Jazz, for most New Orleanians, music was not a luxury as it often is elsewhere - it was a necessity” (“A New Orleans Jazz History, 1895 - 1927”). Without music, New Orleans’ culture would not be the same as it is today. Jazz was not only an immense part of culture in New Orleans, but in the rest of the United States as well. Eventually, Jazz even diffused across the oceans, where different cultures gave their own twist to Jazz. A large factor to many individual cultures, Jazz widely influenced the youth on what they are and what they could be. Jazz exhibited the morals of the young generation, and therefore was a significant influence in the 1920s, not only in the United States, but in Europe as well.

In life, there are few things as organic as jazz music. With its raw sound and scrappy roots, one cannot help but feel life head-on whilst witnessing players produce such a sound right before their eyes. Its origins and arch are a product of the United States’ national culture and identity. Jazz exists not only as a deeply rooted form of art but as a cultural marker, particularly during its commercial peak in the first half of the 20th century. Its impact transcends borders, and it is one of the most beloved musical genres worldwide. The history, popularity and influence of jazz on human culture make it the seminal American art form.

Jazz has shaped the world we know today. Jazz would have never been as popular without the help of the famous musicians: Jelly Roll Morton, Joe King Oliver, Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington. These people helped spread the new genre through radio, railroads, and the records that they played. Where did this all start? The jazz age began in New Orleans where a certain King was born.

• Until the middle of the 1950’s “Jazz dance” was more commonly referred to as tap dance due to tap being performed to jazz music. VIDEO • Jazz music can be traced back to the times of slavery. In America slaves were not allowed to speak their native language and were forbidden to use their drums. Music became a means of survival. • Slave work songs were created, to pass time, in the form of “call and response”.

Jazz was born in New Orleans about 100 years ago (early 20th century), but its roots can be found in the musical traditions of both Africa and Europe. In fact, some people say that jazz is a union of African and European music. Most legends are known for excelling in a specific field or for doing something so impactful on the world that they will be remembered for ages. What set Louis Armstrong apart from others considered to be legends is that he did this multiple times throughout his life and with ease. Over time there have been many people that have impacted the world and society we live in.

Jazz music was seen as a symbol of “modern” cultures of the cities. Many young adults used Jazz music to express their rebellion to their elders’. Jazz also benefited African Americans because it was a symbol of rebellion towards the set of standards in society, allowing them to move forward in status and culture. Furthermore, poets like Langston Hughes made a huge effect in American history with their works.

Jazz is most often thought to have been started in the 1920s as this explosive movement, but that is in fact not the case. Starting in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century many African American musicians have started to explore their taste in improvising, and where better to do that than New Orleans (Anderson). Before the 1920s these jazz musicians have already been going around sharing the unique sound, but up until then, jazz had remained majorly in New Orleans. Interestingly during this period, a common jazz band would consist of a cornet, a clarinet, a trombone, and a rhythm section when at this period of time the clarinet is not commonly associated with being a jazz instrument, it moved into being the saxophone rather. A big

(pg. 685) Women also became eligible to vote Jazz became very popular during the Roaring 20’s. African American moved further north in search of employment, this started the jazz movement. When jazz first emerged, it was a way for African Americans to express themselves through song and music. Shortly after dancing

By 1920, the Jazz age was well underway as a direct challenge to the prohibition of alcohol. Famous Jazz players of the 1920s where: Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Earl Hines, Fats Waller, Ella Fitzgerald, and Joe Venuti. This was one of the first times in American history that the majority of non-African Americans accepted parts of African American culture. It was the moment that many African Americans were able to enter into the mainstream. Though African Americans lived under constant fear of death and pain in the Gilded Age, all was not pain and sorrow.

Since New York was a diverse state, all types of people started to become interested in jazz music. This was the first time that the African Americans were considered to be valuable members of the American society. Jazz music eventually led the creation of jazz poetry. These poems were very important because they proved that jazz music appealed to the American society on a spiritual, intellectual and philosophical

Outline “I don’t need words – it’s all in the phrasing” – Louis Armstrong. In this quote, we can see that Louis speaks through his music, he has no need for words because the “phrasing” (Musical term regarding composition) speaks for him. He expresses his emotions through his music and can radically blow minds with the simple blow of a trumpet. Louis Armstrong spoke through his music and his ideas could only be developed by his music. By this quote, it is apparent for us to see that he developed and redefined music through his actions.

Jazz was born in New Orleans about 100 years ago (early 20th century), but its roots can be found in the musical traditions of both Africa and Europe. Jazz is a form of improvisational art that rewards individual expression and demands self-collaboration. It is a rich tradition that reflects all Americans. It originated in one of the most cosmopolitan and musical places in America. New Orleans was the perfect city for all of these elements to come together, as it was a port city, a meeting place for people of different ethnic groups, and a city with nightlife where musicians had the opportunity to play together, learn from each other, and blend all of these elements.

Jazz music was created by the people to express their opinions and spread togetherness despite the events that were occurring during this era. Musicians showcased their views on political, social, and religious outlooks. The most

Although he died, there was not another musician as popular as Louis Armstrong. Even years after he has passed, remakes of his songs when to the top of charts (Source A). Overall, Louis Armstrong has made the world we live in a more diverse and creative environment. He should be

America's Greatest Gift There is no doubt that Jazz music is one of greatest things to come from American culture. It had sprouted up from cultural and spiritual hymns a global sound that has no restraints. From the early slave songs with their call and response style, to the later Swing and Bebop era tones, Jazz became the frontline for American music where it still remains relevant to this day. It all started in the later parts of the 19th with African slaves brought over from the Atlantic slave trade.