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Blending African and European Music Sensibilities
African slaves and descendants began combining songs and music styles brought from Africa with the European music of the time. African rhythmic patterns especially had a lasting effect on what would become jazz music. Spiritual work songs sung by slaves working fields in the South would eventually become basis for the blues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIoWRVE-H58 -
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Vauderville and Ragtime
African-Americans could sometimes find work in the entertainment industry after the abolition of slavery in 1965 and pianists played in bars, clubs, and brothels as ragtime developed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPmruHc4S9Q -
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The Roarin' 20s - Swing
The prohibition of alcohol led to the creation of illicit speakeasies where jazz bands would play the popular music of the time, including dance music, show tunes, and novelty songs. "Swing," a loosening of rhythm and swinging feeling, was added to ragtime music and defined jazz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WojNaU4-kI -
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The Jazz Age
The 1930s and 40s were dominated by swing big bands, where solo virtuoso musicians became just as popular as the band leaders. Duke Ellington in particular seemed to bridge the gap between swing and art music, calling his music "American Music," rather than jazz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb2w2m1JmCY -
Birth of the Blues
Here Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong, two of the most notable names from the Jazz Age perform a rendition of the 1927 song, Birth of the Blues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sYdUGoIqUM
