The Roaring 20's
Melissa Bullock
Central Question
How did the Jazz during the Roaring 20's reflect the changes occuring within American Society?
The United States during the 1920s
Rise of the cities
The rise of urban living in the United States is a trend that began in the late 19th century. After World War I, many jazz musicians moved from New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, to northern cities such as New York and Chicago. Jazz saw the most popularity in speakeasies.
The Flapper and Dapper
The 1920s introduced the flapper and dapper. These young Americans opposed tradition and defied prohibition. They lived in urban areas and were the minority of Americans. Jazz music influenced these American youth to rebel.
The Harlem Renaissance
Jazz music was heavily influenced by African Americans who had begun to migrate to urban areas and were able to create their own distinct culture known as the Harlem Renaissance. This reflected how African Americans were gaining some influence within society, albeit they still lacked many rights.
The Radio and Other New Technology
While the radio was first invented in the late 19th century, radio channels weren't available to the American public until the 1920s. This exposed Americans to a wide arrange of music. Although jazz rose in popularity, African Americans either weren't allowed to play their music on many radio stations or received less play time than whites. The 1920s also saw the emergence of more advanced recording technology.
Notable artists
Instruments
The most common instruments used in jazz during the 1920s were the:
- Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Piano
- Trombone
- Bass
- Guitar
- Drums
Comparison: Disco in the 1970's
While jazz and disco may appear to be dissimilar at first glance, these genres of music are in many ways similar. Just as jazz originated in small African American communities before finding mass popularity, disco was at first an underground art movement that came to be through contributions of the gay, latino, and African American communities. Both genres were meant to be danced to and spawned many dance moves as a result. Just as jazz was played most often at speakeasies, disco was often played at clubs. One difference between the two genres is disco's introduction of electronic instruments.
How did Jazz change over time?
The 1930s and 40s revolutionized jazz by introducing big band swing and bebop, which would shape modern jazz. The 1960s introduced the idea of improvisation. Contemporary jazz has begun to fuze with other genres of music such as rap, pop, and punk.
Important Songs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LDPUfbXRLM
Black and Blue- Louis Armstrong
"How would it end? Ain't got a friend My only sin is in my skin What did I do to be so black and blue?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSNPpssruFY
Ain't Misbehavin- Fats Waller
"I don't stay out late Don't care to go I'm home about eight Just me and my radio Ain't misbehavin' I'm savin' my love for you Ain't misbehavin' I'm savin' my love for you"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2O0F28tc5s
Diga Diga Doo- Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra
"So, let those funny people smile How can there be a virgin isle with Diga diga doo, diga doo doo Diga diga doo, diga doo Swing it"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V42uJKhoe2I
Everybody Loves my Baby- Clarence Williams' Blue Five
"Yeah, everybody loves my baby But my baby don't love nobody but me, nobody but me Oh, everybody wants my baby But my baby don't want nobody but me, that's plain to see"
Sources
http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/tbacig/studproj/is3099/jazzcult/20sjazz/musicians.html
- https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-ushistory/chapter/a-culture-of-change/
- http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/20smusic.html
- https://socialdance.stanford.edu/Syllabi/disco_lifestyle.htm
- https://theurbandaily.cassiuslife.com/793095/the-evolution-of-jazz-music/