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Jazz Age
The Jazz Age started in the 1920's and went into the 1930's. -
The First Black Jazz Ensemble
Trombonist, Kid Ory’s Band makes the first recording by a black ensemble playing in the New Orleans style. This helps start the Jazz Age. -
The Cotton Club
The Cotton Club opened in 1923. It has featured many famous jazz artists such as Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Bessie Smith, Cab Calloway, The Nicholas Brothers, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, and Ethel Waters. It has given many artists a platform to spread Jazz music. -
Release of St. Louis Blues
Blues singer Bessie Smith and trumpet player Louis Armstrong recorded W.C. Handy's St. Louis Blues for Columbia Records. It has been a famous jazz song ever since. -
Electrical Era Begins
Electrical recordings are used for the first time by the Victor Talking Machine Company. This led to electrical recordings of famous jazz performances. -
The Hot Five Band Forms
Louis Armstrong makes his first recording with his band, Hot Five. Louis becomes famous for his Jazz performances throughout the years. -
Louis Armstrong Developes Scat Singing
Louis Armstrong becomes a major success while developing scat singing by recording his first written work titled Heebie Jeebies, featuring his Hot Five. -
Miles Davis Born
Major trumpeter, composer and bandleader, Miles Davis is known for being one of the most influential and ingenious jazz artists. -
Red Hot Peppers Forms
Pianist Jelly Roll Morton forms a band and calls in the Hot Hot Peppers. They record their music in Chicago, producing songs like Tiger Rag and Hesitation Blues. -
Film St. Louis Blues is Released
The film is focused on the life of pianist W.C. Handy where it features blues singer Bessie Smith, Handy as musical director and pianist James P. Johnson’s band. It reminisces the life of W.C. Handy, the creator of the song St. Louis Blues -
First Mixed-Race Recording
Pianist Fats Waller participates in a mixed-race recording session in which he is forced to play behind a screen to separate him from the white musicians. This shows the racial inequality still going on during the Jazz Age.
