User:Joelallou/History project

The Jazz Age

Summary

The Jazz Age was an important key factor of the Roaring Twenties. Also known as the Golden Age,it was famous for its improvisation and arrangement. Jazz was a way from African-Americans to express themselves. After begin segregated from the whites, they found something that made them socially acceptable to community. Americans went from being conservatives to outgoing. With the inventions of new technologies such as radio, television, and many other things, Jazz spread very quickly throughout the United States. With its unique style of arrangements, more people begin to have interest in it. From its growth, brought composers such as Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Art Tatum, Louis Armstrong, and more.

Jazz music included many instruments such as piano, brass, saxophone, and many other things. Not only did the Jazz Age revolutionize the world of music, by bringing its stunning arrangements, but it also revolutionize the aspects of the way people lived by making them less conservative and bringing rainbow into a world that used to be dark.

The History of Jazz

The Roots

Jazz was born in New Orleans at the roaring twenties approached. Eventually, it started spreading throughout America. An important contribution of jazz was the folk songs and plantation dance of the black Americans. Various musical styles influenced the roots of jazz. Ragtime, an energetic musical style, mostly done with piano, greatly influenced the beginning of Jazz. Another musical style that shaped the roots of jazz music was the blues. Already wildly spread in America, its simple repeated harmonies. It was a way to improvise which was jazz was all about-improvisation.

Early Form of Jazz

The early jazz developed from the musical traditions of band music. Originated in New Orleans, it was used for street parades, and black funeral which is called classic jazz today. Eventually composers started showing. People such as Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, and other composers, changed the face of jazz.

Instruments

Piano was a major tool of the Jazz Age

During the Jazz Age, many instruments were used to make it a success. In a jazz band, there was usually saxophonists, trumpeters, trombonists, a piano player, a guitarist, a bassist, a drummer and occasionally a singer. All the instruments above were part of the ensemble of beautiful, rhythmic, and melodious sounds of jazz. They were mainly used in big Jazz bands. Smaller ones had instruments such as flute, harmonica, vibraphone and oboe. Fortunately, no instruments was off-limits. That is the beauty of jazz. It was a ensemble of everything and nothing could be left out. From strings to winds, everything was in to make the most amazing music possible. With its odd melodies and rhythmic, the instruments of the Jazz Age really compelled people to move aspire, and become better people.

Rhythm Section

• Bass Guitar
• Lead Guitar
• Piano
• Drum Kit

Brass

• Trombone
• Trumpet

Winds

• Alto Saxophone
• Tenor saxophone
• Baritone saxophone
• Flute
• Clarinet

Other

• Voice

65654 Down Town jazzklubb

Famous Composers

Billy Taylor, Zutty Singleton, Leonard Ware (Gottlieb 15341)

During the Jazz Age, many composers submerged. As jazz developed, people started being open-minded. They started expressing themselves and using Jazz as a way to openly reveal their feelings to the world. Below is the list of great musicians and composers of the Jazz Age.

Vocalists

• Louis Armstrong
• Billie Holiday
• Ella Fitzgerald
• Dinah Washington
• Sarah Vaughan
• June Christy
• Nina Simone

Instrumentalists

• Clark Terry
• Charles Mingus
• Charlie Parker
• Dave Brubeck
• Thelonious Monk
• Dizzy Gillespie

Louis Armstrong; The Revolutioner of Jazz

Louis Armstrong was born in August 1, 1904 in New Orleans. Growing up, Louis had a difficult childhood. Abandoned by his father, his mother often turned to prostitution to bring money to the table. With that, Louis had to leave to school and work, in order to help his family. Fortunately, he received help from a Jewish family, who made him collect junk in exchange for money. They also encouraged him to sing. Although he had no education, he always had a dream, to sing. After release from the Jewish family, Louis decided to pursue his dreams. With its little odds jobs aside, he started earning a name as a fine blues player. Now grown and married, he continued his course to his fame by doing his music. Although hard, he stepped the ladder to success bit by bit and made himself known to the public. Today, Louis Armstrong is known for his willingness to learn, his incredible talent, and his idea of never giving up.

Some of the famous songs of Louis Armstrong

• A Foggy Day
• All of Me
• Baby, It's Cold Outside
• A Fine Romance

Louis Armstrong restored

How did jazz spread?

There was many ways in which Jazz spread. First of all, Jazz took place during the Roaring Twenties. During that time, everything was developing at a fast pace. Medias such as television, radio, and other things were invented. Therefore, jazz was getting around quicker than ever before because of the medias that were being invented. Second of all, in 1917, New Orleans Red District Light was closed. With its closure, many artists who lived in New Orleans, had to move to bigger cities such as New York or Chicago to find jobs. Thirdly, Recordings started being available. Composers and artists were now able to record their music in their studio. They were able to sell it and broadcast it to not only the country, but also the world. Last but not least, poor people in the south always had an idea that the nothern part of the countries was filled with jobs and opportunities. Therefore, many of them were living the countryside to the cities. Based on facts, there was more poor people than rich during that time, and therefore, many people were able to hear about jazz. All the factors above made the spreading Jazz really simple.

How has Jazz affected people's lives?

Jazz influenced the way people lived greatly. Before that genre of music, people were just relax and open-minded. They did their own personal thing, minding their own business. With the apparition of Jazz though, people started being open-minded. They saw it as an opportunity to express themselves and share their feelings. They were finally able, through jazz, to communicate their thoughts and the way they felt about things. Jazz gave people a voice. Jazz also cheered people up. Before it, people were reverend and quiet. With jazz though, humor and more happiness came into people's heart. Jazz was like a stress-reliever and a source of joy people went to in times of hardships.

Conclusion

Jazz was a major key of the turning point of music and america. Through his awesome rthymic and colourful instruments, it inspired people to do better and express themselves. People started to open up and share their ideas. It also brought african-americans into the society because they finally able to express themselves in a creative way. Jazz not only touched america, but also revolutionize the world.