The Growth of Jazz - Essay Example

Essay, Music Topic: The Growth of Jazz Introduction Jazz music arrived like an avalanche on the American scene and it grew in all directions like an octopus. Its growth was unplanned, like the growth of greenery in the thick jungles of Amazon. The sapling of Jazz grew watered with the agony of the black people. Joachim-Ernst Berendt wrote “Jazz has always been the concern of a minority—always” (3). In 1700s, music played a significant role in African American culture. The roots of jazz can be traced back to the times of slavery where slave work songs were created in the form of ‘call-and-response’ to tell a story, and pass the time, a song leader would call out a line and the rest of the workers would respond to his call… Soulful songs called “spirituals” were also sung by slaves. These expressed their strong religious beliefs as well as their desire for freedom (Jazz History). Work songs and spirituals were part of the establishment of jazz and these twin elements laid the foundation for this genre of music. The pleasant-sounding music of the black community known as “Ragtime” impacted the American scene in the 1800s. Many European communities were migrating to different cities of America, by now known as the “land of opportunities.” Multiplicity of musical traditions arrived with immigrants. The African American composer Scott Joplin combined these traditions with the melodious music of the black community and provided it with a profound soul-force. “Ragtime” was born thus. The song “After You’ve Gone” created jazz history in the year 1918. About this song Ted Gioia wrote that it “was composed by Turner Layton with lyrics written by Henry Creamer. In a reversal of the more typical formula for jazz standards, “After You’ve Gone” was composed by African-American songwriters but popularized by white performers. The song is almost as old as recorded jazz itself, introduced in 1918…” (3). The State of New Orleans played an important part in the progression of jazz music through the 20th century. The immigrant population of New Orleans belonged to different cultures. The local musical traditions merged with the European traditions and the new style of music jazz was born. When in 1920, black people began migrating to cities like Chicago and New York to improve their financial prospects, they brought along with them jazz. The combustible younger generation of America liked this music. They rebelled against the old-fashioned ideas of their parents, surprisingly though! Jazz culture was responsible in a big way to the creation of genre of women known as “flappers”, who cut their hair and took to shorter dresses. Berendt wrote “Many great jazz musicians have felt the connection between their playing styles and the times in which they live” (4). Jazz music responded to the societal changes that were taking place, due to political, cultural, social and ideological developments that impacted the people. Thus “In the turn of the century around 1920, many artists made their mark by playing in the discreet underground nightclubs known as "Speakeasies" which are high class , "Blind pig" lower class or "Smokeasy" for smokers”(Jaaz Music). Jazz was on the move. The Breakthrough for Jazz New musical innovations were flooding the market and they brought music to the reach of the common man. Jazz music got shot in the arm. American airwaves, dance halls, auditoriums and homes reverberated to the melodies of jazz notes. In 1930s many jazz bands were formed and it became the most popular music. Its bouncing beat and swing music made the people rush to dance floors on a recurring basis. “However, thing were beginning to look up for Jazz Music once the invention of the record player or phonograph was made to play jazz albums. In addition, radio stations helped promote Jazz music, and made it popular among the public. Jazz Music became music of class that earned the era a nick name known as the "Jazz Age” (Jazz Music).In 1940s the World War II intervened with a devastating effect on the economic and social scenes of America. Even in that grim situation, strict segregation procedures were practiced by the American Army, where about a million African Americans served. As jazz musicians were part of the fighting forces, the bands found it difficult to get the musicians to perform in the dance halls. In 1950s jazz suffered a setback. Products of new technological innovations flooded the market with marked changes in the responses of the people to their sources of entertainment. People began to take fancy for television and music concerts were relegated to the background. Dance halls downed their shutters for lack of audience support. The teenagers liked the rock ‘n’ roll shows over the television and music sensation Elvis Presley became the heart-throb of the American teenagers. In the 1960s political and sociological changes were sweeping through America. The civil rights movement impacted jazz music and the educated African American youngsters begrudged the white owned record companies and clubs, as they shared the major portion of the income. Some artists launched their own music establishments. Ten years after Jazz music became popular it was reinvented into a style that would be suitable for radio and dancing. This style was known as "Swing" which allowed musicians to improvise their own interpretation of the melody or theme that was sometimes difficult to do. Jazz bands grew into a larger size which was often referred to as "Big Band" music that would always feature a soloist (Jazz Music). Since 1970s, jazz music styles are on the march, and took to new forms. Fusion acid jazz and Classical blues gained popularity. The 1990s saw the introduction of smooth jazz and retro swing. Berendt argued “ It is our conviction that the styles of jazz are genuine and reflect their own particular times in the same sense that classicism, baroque, romanticism, and impressionism reflect their respective periods in European concert music”(4). Jazz is often mentioned as “America’s classical music”. It has been part of African American music tradition for over a century. Jazz is unmistakably linked to the cultural heritage of America and the sufferings of the black people. There are so many varieties of jazz that it is beyond definition. Much depends upon the psyche of the composers and the performers. Along with the African American civilization, jazz has grown. Jazz in retrospect The formation of bands provided the respected look to jazz music and contributed to its growth. “The band leaders who became famous as Jazz musicians were Paul Whiteman, Ted Lewis, Harry Reser, Leo Reisman, Abe Lyman, Nat Shilkret, Earl Burnett, Ben Bernie, George Olson, Bob Haring, Vincent Lopez, Ben Salvin and many more. Paul Whiteman claimed to be the king of jazz music due to his popularity.” (Jazz Music) For the first time, Paul Whiteman brought into the fold of his band white jazz musicians to form large orchestrations. Jazz was always something more than music. In the initial stages it was the voice of the blacks against the racial discrimination in America. But gradually it outgrew racism and its style of protest became universal. Berendt argued “Here as elsewhere the racial element of Jazz has long transcended itself and became universal. It has become part of the worldwide protest against a domination--oriented society” (458). It had become a strong critique against all forms of injustice to the poor and the downtrodden and those who face discrimination on any account. The extraordinarily varied nature of jazz can only be understood by considering the exhilarating rapidity with which it has established itself at the forefront of the modern musical world. Like cinema, that other major American contribution to twentieth-century culture, jazz is currently celebrating its one-hundredth birthday (Introduction). Jazz has always been a powerful social weapon! Conclusion Jazz fought many battles though the last century and challenged tough trials and tribulations to emerge successful. It profoundly touched the hearts of Americans, especially the black population. It never looked back since the first time rag compositions that were published in the year 1890.It withstood the test of time and changed itself in structure, style and content. It took maximum advantage of the technical innovations, and adapted itself to the changing conditions in the market and appeal of the people with astonishing speed. Men of business acumen had entered the jazz industry and their products covered the mass pop market as well as the intellectual class. It set new trends and demanded recognition as the art of the future. It retained its essence as the emotional art and suffering of the humanity as its inseparable ingredient. The road to success of jazz music was like the proverbial fight from darkness to light. For ragtime piano players making both ends meet was a tough proposition as the doors of honorable employment opportunities were not open for them. They played in brothels and saloons, and these opportunities fell to their lot after emancipation. In southern citifies they got opportunities to play in celebrated brass bands that appeared in funeral processions. After the World War II, abandoned Civil War military band instruments were available at cheap rates. Not until 1930s jazz acquired intellectual respectability and from then onwards jazz musicians never looked back and as an industry also it thrived. Famous jazz musicians preferred to migrate to European countries like France, where greater opportunities awaited them. Jazz became world phenomenon both in quality and quantity. Works Cited Berendt, Joachim-Emst. The Jazz Book: From Ragtime to Fusion and Beyond. Ed. Gunther Huesmann. New York: Lawrence Hill Books, 1992, Print. Gioia, Ted. The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print. Introduction | The Chronicle of Jazz | Abbeville Press, Web. June 15, 2013 A History of Jazz. Web. June 15, 2013 Jazz Music | The Growth Of Jazz Music, Web. June 15, 2013 Read More