The Changing Sounds of Jazz

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that the sounds of jazz with its unique rhythms, instrumentals and vocals remain a mystery to many even today. However, the writer points out, it is more through a lack of understanding of the sounds of jazz, perhaps even the history of the music that it is cast into the category of musical mystery for those less gifted, but who nonetheless appreciate good music. The writer discusses two special moments in the history of jazz:the Dixieland revival period, or the "Swing Era," during the early 1930s and going into the 1940s; and the blues revival of the 1960s. The writer notes that a look at these two periods of musical history is interesting, and a music lover's delight, and informative when considering the influence both periods had on what is jazz today.

Outline:
The Dixieland Revival of the 1930s
Blues Revival of the 1960s
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Some historians have traced the roots of blues to a period in American history beginning with the arrival of the first slaves, in 1619. Ambiguous or contentious as that may be, it nonetheless serves as a marker for what is surely one of the most significant forms of music in America; the blues. Perhaps what can be said, without contention and without setting historians and musicians alike into a tailspin, is that the blues, like Dixieland, have experienced peaks and low in musical history, and has contributed and influenced the heart of jazz. One of the significant periods in history where the blues experienced both a revival in sound and style, and from which, like the Dixieland of the 1930s, emerged new figures of greatness; and a time that greatly influenced and helped spotlight once again jazz, is the 1960s."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Gabbard, Krin, ed. Representing Jazz. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1995. Questia. 12 Dec. 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=26067602>.
• Olsen, Eric P. "Cool Jazz - Norway's Molde International Jazz Festival." World and I Nov. 2002: 74. Questia. 12 Dec. 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002500722>.
• Schuller, Gunther. The Swing Era: The Development of Jazz, 1930-1945. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991. Questia. 12 Dec. 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=104732768>.
• Siegmeister, Elie, ed. The Music Lover's Handbook. New York: William Morrow, 1943. Questia. 12 Dec. 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=1078937>.
• Weissman, Dick. Blues: The Basics. New York: Routledge, 2004. Questia. 12 Dec. 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=108863123>.

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