The Great Depression And The Jazz: The Big Band Era

To begin with, jazz is an all American dance that has some African rhythmic influences. The first group that portrayed jazz to the American society were a group called the flappers in the 1920’s. This group was young western women who wore short skirts and bobbed hair and were considered wild based on the image

The Jazz Age was a period of radical behavior and care free living. This new music structure started the crazy decade that would change American life. “In the US during the 1920s, jazz was far more than a new musical style or genre”. A Focus on culture, fashion, and mostly freedom became huge. “The Jazz Age became a touchstone for a wide range of social and cultural issues.”1 Also the freedom during the period allowed for many different ethnicities, including African Americans, to gain freedom within society. This new music

Jazz has always been a part of the American tradition. Some may say they like Jazz for its rhythmic twist and turns. Others may love the soothing melodies from an improved Trumpet solo. All in all, Jazz has been an American staple and has molded today’s popular music, into what it is today. It’s very different from classical music, which is written out and strict. Jazz is much more. It’s made up of spontaneity and improvisation, which makes up an idea on the spot. There are many wide varieties in Jazz. There is Bebop Jazz, Avante Garde Jazz, Acid Jazz, Free Funk Jazz, Soul Jazz, Swing Jazz, and many, many more! These forms of Jazz can be seen and heard in some of your favorite music of Today. It’s been widely used by the world. There is an important reason as to why this genre contributes to the growing of music. We first take a look into the root of all Jazz. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the country of Africa was the first known country to use rhythm primarily for the element of musical expression, and ensembles composed entirely of percussion instruments created extended polyrhythmic works. These polyrhythms, which means the “layering of multiple rhythms.”, were record in Western music. African music did not use paper, or sheet music. Instead, they relied on Aural rituals, learned by ear and also used” spontaneity, which is later said to be known as improvisation”. In Africa, most of the music that was expressed was for religious

Jazz music was originated in Africa. It was brought to America in the 20th century. Also many artist prevailed during this time. Jazz is a form of music that can be personalized. Many performs change or makeup parts right on the spot.

Music has evolved in numerous ways since the Great Depression and nowadays music has modernized into rap and hip hop, but people don’t know how the history of jazz contributed the Great Depression during that time. The best method to conduct the research is by using valuable sites from .Gov or .Edu and possibly .Com. The most famous jazz singers during the Great depression are Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie. Ella Fitzgerald was becoming the most popular female singer at that time, and plus she put jazz back on the spotlight during the Great Depression. Duke Ellington was one of the top jazz musicians in American history and he created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in western music. Louis Armstrong

The first appearance of jazz was at the turn of the century in New Orleans and is called “Dixieland Jazz,” or “Classic Jazz.” It developed out of music for street parades in the black community. It also had deeper roots in a style of music called “Blues,” which was used to express the

Eventually the periods branched into genres, which focused and categorized with even greater detail on each piece of music (Estrella par. 6). Jazz is a genre of music that originated in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. As jazz began to grow popular, it served as a means to bring young people together. It also settled some of the controversy between the blacks and whites, as it was a great unifier and social

On the home front, World War II had an incredible effect on the American jazz scene. One of the biggest setbacks fro jazz was the increasing difficulty with travel during the war. Musicians struggled to travel around the country to perform, as the rationing of rubber and gasoline limited the mobility of many swing bands. In addition, there were fewer buses and trains available for bands, as the majority were often occupied with servicemen on War business. Between the Great Depression and World War II, America needed money, and the multimillion dollar business of ballroom dancing and big bands was targeted with an incredibly-high 30% "Cabaret Tax." This tax led to the closing of numerous clubs all around the United States, because ballrooms and clubs could no longer afford to pay big bands to come play. The tax started the economic cycle that closed many of these recreational

Jazz is a music genre that has complex characteristics and history of development and thus many musicians and scholars face troubles in defining what jazz is. In general, jazz is believed to have born in New Orleans. Jazz developed for the pleasure of the social dancers. According to the “Understanding Jazz: What Is Jazz?” of John F. Kennedy center for the Performing Arts, Jazz was created mainly by Afro-Americans, and had elements of European and Afro-American culture. Also, it emphasizes few elements of Jazz, which are swing-feel, syncopation, and improvisation. These different culture and elements of jazz may be explained by how jazz

Jazz music was a huge change in America. The music brought together many different people and opened up clubs mainly in the city. Jazz music allowed many new artists to emerge and become well known all throughout the country.

To begin with, jazz evolved due to the popularity of big bands like the Duke Ellington Orchestra that brought this art form to the people in different places. Duke Ellington was a significant bandleader and musician

Jazz music originated from New Orleans, Louisiana in the early 1900’s. The creation of the style came from a need for a phycological shield against the disasters from nature and society in New Orleans at the time. Jazz was the most original form that came from those troubles. Jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation. Jazz has roots from West African cultural and expressions, as well as African American traditions. Jazz started becoming more world-wide around 1910 and started introducing brass-band marches, French quadrilles, and biguine music styles. Later in the 1930’s dance oriented swing bands became very prominent to the style. From there Jazz music continued to grow and become

     Jazz is a style of music that began and has been revolutionized within the United States. Jazz music first appeared in the city of New Orleans and eventually moved onto Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, and New York City. Jazz unites different elements of African, African- American, religious, brass brand, and blues style of music. The music of Jazz, and its changes through the years, is now a form of music that is known and respected throughout this nation and the world.

Music in the 1930s distracted everyone from what was actually going on. It made the people happy and that is all the leaders of America wanted such as President Roosevelt. However, when the depression seemed to to lift, it eventually got worse. Although, music brought the people to life and together just like it does today. It is important and interesting to learn about the struggles, the happiness, and the music of the Great Depression.

     During the 1920’s which is also known as the “Roaring Twenties”, Chicago became the focal point for Jazz after clubs around New Orleans were closed. Record deals were being made there and soon Jazz was being acknowledged for the brilliant music it played. Famous musicians who received acclaim for their work in Chicago were Earl Hines, Johnny Dodds, Louis Armstrong, and King Oliver. In New York City, it