Abstract This paper studies how New Orleans played a crucial role in the development of jazz. The paper draws parallels between New Orleans, as America's first multicultural city, and jazz, as the first multicultural form of music. The paper also examines African Americans' formative role in the development of jazz, particularly those from New Orleans' Storyville district.
From the Paper "Many years ago Clay Smith wrote in "Etude Magazine" that if the truth were known about the origin of jazz, it would never be mentioned in polite society..."
Abstract In this paper, the writer introduces, discusses, and analyzes the development of jazz and the blues. The roots of these two forms of American music are traced. The author also explores the influence of African-American slave music on these forms of music. Several notable jazz and blues artists are discussed. The author concludes by stating jazz and blues are popular forms of music throughout the world.
From the Paper "Some of the more recognizable blues artists include Robert Johnson, Billie Holiday, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charlie Patton, Son House, T-Model Ford, Howlin' Wolf, BB King, Muddy Waters, and Leadbelly (Gioia). Many jazz musicians have influenced the music and become famous in their own right, too. Early musicians include Scott Joplin, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and many others. Jazz continues to evolve today, with "smooth jazz" gaining in popularity, and modern influential artists include Wynton Marsalis and Kenny G. Advocates included many black and white writers of the times, such as Richard Wright and Langston Hughes, who recognized the importance of the music and helped spread interest about it around the world."
Abstract This paper examines the musical innovation of jazz and how it helped to define the African-American community in America during the 1920s. The paper looks at how, for the most part, European and African music were united to create a new genre of music that was highly influential on all aspects of American culture. The paper also looks at how racism played a large part in how black jazz musicians were not able to thrive in the South and so were invariably driven to migrate toward northern urban environments that would allow them to play their music.
Abstract Some of the topics discussed in this paper are: Buddy Bolden, sources of the 'sound', privilege of sound, myths and legends in the history of jazz.
Abstract The paper looks at jazz history. In this article, the writer also looks at blues and gospel. In this paper, Basie, Ellington, Davis and Armstrong are also discussed. The writer examines the history of the development of the alto sax.
From the Paper "Charles Joseph Sax, a manufacturer of brass at woodwind musical instruments lived in Dinant, Belgium. King William I of the Lowlands appointed him the royal music instrument manufacturer and commissioned him to make the band instruments for the newly created army of his new kingdom. Sax's son Adolphe, picked up his father's proclivity for musical instruments and soon knew the structure of all kinds of brass and woodwind instruments. He invented the bass-clarinet ... "
Tags: Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Ellington, Basie, style, innovation, jazz, fusion, saxaphone
Abstract Jazz is a music that belongs to all races. This paper argues that, even though there have been a majority of African-American musicians in the jazz community, anyone can play it, write it, and express their feelings through it. There was music being played at the same time jazz began by other people who had a big influence on jazz, however. This paper shows that there have also been many white musicians who have made important and influential contributions to jazz. Over the last few decades, many jazz artists and critics have become vocal about their opinion about jazz and race because there are so many strong opinions about it. The writer concludes that this issue has been discussed privately since jazz became popular and that the connection between jazz and race continues to be a widely discussed topic in the jazz community.
From the Paper "The connection between jazz music and race has been discussed since jazz first became a genre one hundred years ago. Over the last four decades, many jazz artists have become more vocal about the idea that jazz is a black music. The argument is not that all good jazz musicians are black, but that the most immediate and significant ancestors have been black. Some of the major jazz innovators such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis Thelonious Monk, and John Coltrane have been black. The view of jazz as a black music, however, is controversial. There are many that believe that jazz is not the property of just one racial group. Artists who are or were not black such as Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw Stan Getz, Bix Beiderbecke, Gerry Mulligan, Dave Brubeck, Frank Trumbauer, and Charlie Haden have also left distinguished marks on jazz. At the turn of the century, when jazz first became popular, white and black musicians were playing very similar, though not identical, forms of music. Some artists and critics claim that the jazz expression of black Americans is a creative reflection of the black experience, however, most artists see jazz as a way to express personal experience, no matter what race they are. Though the first innovative jazz musicians were black, jazz is a music that belongs to all races."
Abstract This paper delves into the indigenous, American creation of jazz music. It looks at the relationship between the origins of jazz and the history of African-Americans, the main characteristics of jazz music, and the instruments originally used for playing jazz. The beginning of jazz music in New Orleans is discussed, as well as some of the influences on the music and the different types of jazz that evolved over time. Famous jazz musicians and singers are also mentioned.
From the Paper "A significant relationship exists between the origins of jazz and the history of African-Americans. To entertain themselves and get through the grueling days, plantation slaves would perform music that would remind them of their African homeland. Their songs, sounds and compositions would be on the wide variety of singing, rhythms and melodies that ranged throughout the continent."
Abstract Jazz is described as a form of musical improvisation that combines both organization and spontaneity. It is the spontaneous improvisation that separates it from traditional Western music, which is written down in notation as carefully as possible, in order to make sure that it is performed as closely to the composer's intentions as possible. This paper provides a definition of jazz before exploring the origins of this musical genre. The paper examines what makes certain music be regarded as jazz and explores the influence of jazz on other music.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
The Origins of Jazz What Makes it Jazz?
The Influence of Jazz Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "Even though jazz is a rich mixture of melody, rhythm, harmony and inventive improvisation based on those basics, it has always not been treated with respect by music historians and other experts. For instance, in his book An Illustrated History of Music, the author does not even give jazz a mention. Marc Pincherle seems to have a bias toward traditional Western European styles of music, but Gerard (p. 12) states, "Music does not have to be totally predictable to be beautiful." Jazz may suffer because it is often not written down in notation, and because much of its history is recorded informally."
Tags: Jelly, Morton, blues, AABA, lead, sheet, tempo
Abstract This paper explains that, with the closing of the Storyville seaports in New Orleans and increased discrimination in the south, numerous musicians began to venture to Chicago and New York with hopes of finding prosperity in their field of business--jazz. The author points out that, in Chicago, the four main styles of jazz were Boogie Woogie, Chicago Jazz, Society Jazz and Urban Blues and the major innovators were Bix Beiderbecke and Benny Goodman. The paper relates that, in New York's Harlem area, which did more for the Jazz age then any other town in the world, jazz flourished in the different styles of bands from big band to spasm bands and in innovators such as Paul Whiteman, James Reese Europe and Fletcher Henderson, which resulted in the Harlem Renaissance that opened the eyes and the mouths of African-American public.
From the Paper "Bandleader Paul Whiteman was another major New York Jazz figure of the era. He was especially famous for introducing jazz into the mainstream audience of the decade. Not only was he a great performer of the day, be he also gave back to the jazz community as an avid listener and audience member himself. For instance, Duke Willington stated, "no one could fault Whiteman for his generosity of spirit." In 1924, after finishing his evening at New York's Palais Royal, he would stop by around the corner at the Kentucky Club to soak up the sounds of Duke Ellington and his Club Serenaders."
Abstract The paper provides a comparison between the history of jazz and the Civil Rights Movement, and focuses on two jazz stars, Charlie Parker and Louis Armstrong. The paper shows how the early history of both jazz and the Civil Rights Movement entwined the two, making the full-fledged jazz and civil rights movements of the 1940s and 1950s undeniably connected.
Outline:
Introduction
A Comparison Of Jazz And Civil Rights History
Famous Jazz Musicians
Conclusion
From the Paper "From Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin and Toni Morrison's Beloved to the African-American painter Charles H. Alston's portraits, art forms have traditionally made the emotions of the American civil rights movement more tangible. Throughout history, though, no art form has been more associated with the plight of the African-American than music. In fact, the Negro spiritual first marked the issue during the pre-Civil War era. Even after the Civil War, these spirituals became songs of the civil rights movement, beats that civil rights warriors would sing as they marched for their freedom."
Tags: Civil, War, blacks, Charlie, Parker, Louis, Armstrong, songs, dances
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of jazz appreciation. It begins by discussing the history of jazz music and how its popularity has changed over time. The paper defines jazz music and discusses jazz musicians. It then goes on to discuss how music, in general, can be used in education and how jazz music, in particular, can be used as a vehicle for urban-area education.
From the Paper "Anyone in today's world can turn on the radio and find almost every genre of music, except for one: jazz. Jazz was a music form that dominated the billboard charts fifty to sixty years ago, and has slowly faded away, leaving the music industry as a money-interest only business, not very concerned about the music itself. Jazz as a whole today can be found in very few places such as small jazz clubs in big cities, private parties, and unfortunately, elevators. When music is restricted only to certain venues, it is bound to die out soon. Today's music world has pop and rap genres dominating. What many music followers fail to realize is that the roots of their "popular" music evolved from jazz. Jazz music is on a definite decline due to a lack of appreciation and media attention. The music of jazz brings along many positive aspects, most importantly, a vehicle for urban-area education. Through the different stages of the jazz period, and the influences that made a milestone in that period, this classic genre has made a landmark in our world's history."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that one of the grand impetuses behind the very birth of jazz was to send a statement; a political message. The writer maintains that essentially, jazz was invented as a musical soapbox. The writer points out that not everyone has the same take on the genre, as with most art forms, and that even the artists themselves disagree as to the particulars of whether their music carries an intentional message or not. The writer points out that the fact remains, however, that jazz is one of the first instances of popular music that conveys some sort of social message. The writer concludes that jazz artists have been consistent, progressive voices for change in the U.S. and while at times, the white establishment has drowned them out, jazz as a vehicle for uplift, and as a cultural expression of black identity, remains strong to this day.
From the Paper "Obviously, jazz musicians, in no small part, care about their environment and their culture, and see their music as a way to propound that concern. What about the musicians who see it differently? While not as numerous as the proponents, there are many who would like politics to stay out of entertainment altogether. There is a whole subgenre of punditry literature that enjoys berating artists who dare take a stand; the most famous diatribe of all being Laura Ingraham's 'Shut Up and Sing'. In addition to the notorious conservative talking heads, there are also some jazz artists who would concur."
Abstract This paper emphasizes the history of New Orleans and how it was such a perfect place for jazz to take hold and grow. The paper examines the city's race relations, reconstruction, its allowance of prostitution, and how these city characteristics fostered the growth of jazz.The paper also looks at some of the key players that were instrumental in popularizing jazz and examines the hardships faced by up and coming jazz musicians like Buddy Bolden and his sister, Lottie Bolden.
From the Paper "To define the roots of jazz is to look into all that the cornucopia of Southern culture has to offer. It incorporates forms of music that are so widespread that it is often difficult to understand how they could have come together to create a music that is truly and completely American. From classical to hymnals, confederate marching bands to back-wood folk tunes, jazz brings together musical characteristics that come from Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and America. But the stage that these elements would come together upon was the most important key in the creation of jazz. It is difficult to surmise how this vast array of influences could have united in any place other than New Orleans. It is in this city of lust and guilty pleasures that jazz was born and its dirty cradle would provide jazz with an audience that spread throughout the country. The musical industry that jazz would become could not have formed without New Orleans? mixed culture and its allowance of prostitution in the region popularly known as Storyville. New Orleans at the turn of the century on one hand was a city ahead of its time in fashion and entertainment, and on the other hand far behind in race relations. It hosted several opera companies and incorporated some of Europe's highest fashion. French and Creoles still had a strong presence in the city and brought their own individual flavor to the popular culture of the time. This however, would create divisions among races that ignited a variety of race riots in the early 1900s that would leave parts of the city badly damaged physically and culturally."
Abstract This paper examines how the avant-garde movement in jazz is important because it represents the departure from traditional forms of jazz into a more free-flowing form that allowed musicians to express themselves in a way that they had not done before. The writer argues that many jazz greats have contributed to this movement, and many critics feel that it is a shame to ignore the significance of the jazz avant-garde movement.
From the Paper "Musicians that illustrated a departure from traditional jazz and regularly included bebop into their music are Ornette Coleman, Wilbur Barr, Ed Blackwell, and Billy Higgins. An interesting characteristic of bebop is the type of singing that generally accompanied songs. Much like scat singing, bebop singers would incorporate "something like chants and field hollers" into the music. This freedom allowed the musical instruments to carry the "entire rhythmic impetus of the music" (226). This type of rhythmic freedom and diversity is what Jones claims is the "valuable" legacy of bebop. Gottlieb claims that the Hard Boppers? wanted to revolutionize jazz but did not go far enough. What was seemingly lost in the 1940s was rediscovered in the 1960s. ?Because rhythm and melody complement each other so closely in the latter style, the drummer and bass player were better able to play melodically. There was no longer a concern with continuing the beat in a song."
Abstract As the title suggests, "Jazz" connects key aspects of jazz music to the disenchanted lives of the book's characters, creating three significant parallels. Overall, the book becomes an instrument for Toni Morrison's melody. The paper shows that, first, like a jazz ensemble, each character's solo is arranged together to create a disjointed unity, contrasting notes that somehow come together. Second, a new and unique rhythm, voice, beat and language are created that go beyond the conventional forms of both music and storytelling. In other words, the book tries to portray the importance of jazz for blacks in Harlem in the 1920's. It becomes a way of communicating a history, a present, and a future that have never before been told. The paper shows that, finally, the door is opened for improvisation, change, and perhaps even hope.
From the Paper "Essentially, through these jazz-like lyrics, Morrison provides these characters with a way to tell their story. Otherwise, they do not know how to talk to each other; in fact, they can't seem to communicate in the traditional way through conversation. Therefore, they need, even want, their own form or method for saying what they want to say. For example, the narrator tells us that "Maybe everybody has a renegade tongue yearning to be on its own" (24). In the meantime, however, "Violet shuts up. Speaks less and less until "uh" or "have mercy" carry almost all of her part of a conversation".
