Jazz Music Influence

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.

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.

It was the hope that this exhibit would give one a holistic image of life and culture during the Harlem Renaissance by exploring different aspects of it. This event is considered to be the largest shift in African American culture that occurred during the 20th century as African Americans from across the country began to discover themselves and personally define what it meant to be “black”. This time period also marked the beginning of a shift in white recognition and acceptance of African American culture as whites across the country joined their black counterparts in enjoying jazz music and black literature. However, such a change didn’t mean that racism and racial prejudice were erased entirely. Such problems remained prevalent throughout the Harlem Renaissance, though their effects were limited by the sheer size and power of such a movement.

In the 1920’s jazz greatly rose in popularity, due to the process of recordings. Jazz’s popularity directly correlates to how it personifies African-American culture. Many black musicians felt as though they weren’t getting the recognition they deserved. These musicians were upset about being ripped off by recording labels, and rightfully so. Apart from being upset about how they were being treated by record labels, white America did not feel comfortable with the music being solely from African-Americans.

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.

The social change in this Renaissance was caused by the whites and blacks both starting to converge and easing the racial tensions. While, many people evolved and changed for the better the big outburst of pride and cultural during the

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

Rock and Roll brought both races together with one common interest and that was to enjoy the lively music. These teenager would go to concerts together and slowly start to get comparable with each others presence. Also with black musician being so popular, many people were forced to work with them to stay in business. Those are the ways rock and roll had affected

Artist such as Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, Bessie Smith, amongst others, were beginning to express attitudes of hope, freedom and solidarity. Although it was primarily an artistic movement, it was also a political social movement. Despite the challenges of race and class, the Harlem Renaissance represented a new social interaction between Blacks and Whites. As a result of the big migration, the image of African Americans changed from rural country bumpkins to one of urban sophistication. African Americans began to generate a sense of pride within themselves, and a discovery of their own identity.

As public approval of the Vietnam War dwindled in the latter half of the 1960s, popular music artists began to record songs that reflected this disapproval and ultimately became a new method of protest (Hopkins).” Not to mention, “not only has music been a direct means of anti-war protest, but the culture of peace and love, seen especially in the Woodstock festival, has also pervaded the minds of the public” (Hopkins). The controversial Vietnam War affected many people in the United States, but the war caused a socio cultural revolution through the power of

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.

It created a younger and more urban black audience. The beginning of 1946 swing music began to fade, but the high demand for music still remained. Early R&B artists began to stray away from the big band format and decided to perform in small groups. It focus on blues-style vocals and song structures. Saxophone and piano were still important, but electric guitar and bass added a different vibe to the music.

In my opinion, as Jazz become one of the famous type of music, so knowing the history of Jazz is very necessary. Jazz music is very difficult to define mainly because there are so many different styles. When considering Ragtime, Stride and Boogie Woogie, these three styles was very essential in the development of modern jazz. However, the most essential that built Jazz in back then should be Ragtime, so I agree with you. In addition, Ragtime is primarily an African American invention and was a source of pride to African American composers, musicians, and listeners.

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.