Music That Was a Strong Influence on Early Jazz
Contents
Music That Was a Strong Influence on Early Jazz includes blues, ragtime, and gospel. These genres were the foundation for what would become one of America’s most original art forms.
The Birth of Jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a blend of African and European musical traditions. The music was influenced by the blues, ragtime, and march music.
The late 19th century in New Orleans
The late 19th century in New Orleans was a time of great social and economic change. The city was growing rapidly, and people from all over the world were coming to live there. This mix of cultures led to a rich and vibrant music scene.
One of the most important developments in this period was the arrival of African-American musicians from the rural south. These musicians brought with them a new style of music, which would come to be known as jazz. Jazz was a blend of African and European musical traditions, and it was unlike anything that had been heard before.
The early jazz musicians were incredibly talented, and they quickly gained popularity. Jazz soon became the dominant form of music in New Orleans, and it would go on to have a profound impact on the course of American music.
The early 20th century in Chicago
The early 20th century in Chicago witnessed a blend of cultures that led to the creation of a unique form of music known as Jazz. The city was a melting pot of African American, European American, and Native American influences, as well as a hub for immigration from all over the world. This diversity is reflected in the city’s musical culture, which was greatly influenced by the blues and ragtime.
Chicago’s central location made it a natural crossroads for musicians from all over the country. They came to the city to play in its many nightclubs and dance halls, and to record their music. These recordings were heard all over the world and had a profound impact on the development of Jazz.
Some of the most important early Jazz musicians came from New Orleans, including Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton. They brought with them a love for the blues and a style of playing that was heavily influenced by African American music. Other important early Jazz players included saxophonist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, who were both from Kansas City. They developed a style of playing that was influenced by both the blues and Latin American music.
The early 20th century in Chicago was a time of great musical experimentation and innovation, which led to the birth of Jazz. This new form of music would go on to have a profound impact on the world, changing the course of popular music forever.
The Influences on Jazz
Jazz was a new and different kind of music that was influenced by many other kinds of music. Some of the music that influenced jazz was blues, ragtime, marches, and even European classical music. Jazz was also influenced by the people who created it, who came from all different kinds of backgrounds.
Ragtime
Ragtime was a forerunner of Jazz, and its design to make the listener “tap their feet” created a perfect environment for the development of Jazz. The influence of Ragtime on Jazz is evident in many of the techniques that are used in both styles of music, including the use of “ragged” or syncopated rhythms, as well as blues-based progressions.
The blues
The term “the blues” can refer to a particular feeling of sadness or regret, or to the musical genre that emerged from African American communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The blues is characterized by a call-and-response format, in which a singer “calls” out a line (often with lyrical repetition) and is answered by the rest of the band or audience. This call-and-response format was an important influence on early jazz, as it allowed for more communication between performer and audience.
The blues often makes use of “blue notes”, which are notes that are sung or played at a slightly lower pitch than the standard major or minor scale. This gives the music a “sad” or “ yearning” sound, which was another important influence on early jazz. The blues also often features improvisation, in which the performer adds their own embellishments to the song. Improvisation would become one of the most important aspects of jazz.
Brass bands
Jazz was originallly played by brass bands in the New Orleans area. These bands were usually made up of African-American musicians who played at funerals and other social gatherings. The music they played was a mix of African and European traditions, and it often had a driving, syncopated rhythm. The brass band tradition was a major influence on early jazz, and many of the first jazz musicians got their start playing in brass bands.
European classical music
European classical music was a strong influence on early jazz. Many of the early jazz musicians were classically trained, and they frequently incorporated classical elements into their playing. Classical music was also an important influence on the development of jazz theory and harmony.