Do you know the origin of Jazz?

Music has always been used by society to tell stories and inspire its listeners, and jazz is one of those genres.

On the other hand, jazz serves as a reflection of the cultural diversity and originality of the United States.

Originating in the early 20th century in New Orleans, USA, jazz emerged from the cultural melting pot present in the region.

Its primary influences come from African music and the various styles used for expression by enslaved people of that time, but it is also influenced by European classical music and American blues.

Louis Daniel Armstrong was born in 1901 in New Orleans, USA. He was a singer and multi-instrumentalist who made significant contributions to the spread of jazz.

Coming from a poor family, music was a source of income from childhood.

After a youth incident, he spent a year in a reformatory, a time that intensified his contact with music as he performed in the institution’s band.

In the following years, Armstrong seized opportunities that arose to pave his way in music, being sponsored by Joe “King” Oliver, another great name in American jazz.

Known for his deep voice and incredible talent on the trumpet, Louis Armstrong became popularly known as the “Jazz Man” due to his innate musicality and technical discipline, making him one of the most important references of all time.

From April 12 to 16, the Usina Cultural Facens will open its doors to host the second edition of the Sorocaba Jazz Festival, where 50 great Brazilian artists will present a repertoire of national and international pieces from the genre’s leading artists.

Characterized by improvisation, swing, and a mix of rhythms, jazz emerged in the late 19th century in the United States, specifically in New Orleans, with African culture serving as the primary source.

Did slavery give rise to jazz?

In a daily life filled with slavery, recently transferred blacks from various African regions to North America found refuge in music, sung through collective chants.

Directly from the blues, jazz appropriated the famous “blue note,” a characteristic semitone that gives the music a more melancholic tone.

In its first iteration, this musical style stood out with instruments such as:

• Clarinet
• Trumpet
• Double bass
• Guitar
• Trombone
• Drums
• Even a banjo.

After the abolition of slavery in the United States in 1863, these individuals managed to integrate, at least minimally, into society.

Thus, with a closer relationship with Western instruments, a fusion of rhythms, cultures, and sounds emerged.

During this time, the blues, already rich in Black origins, became a fundamental cornerstone of jazz.

This new genre also impacted Black religious gatherings, such as churches predominantly attended by African Americans, where audience participation was essential for musicians’ performances.

Clapping, foot stomping, and even vocalizations varied from improvised solos to chords without strict tempo.

Creation of a Law for Jazz

The establishment of Prohibition, which banned the sale and consumption of alcohol in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s, led to the creation of bootleggers—areas particularly focused on the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages and thus music.

These establishments were crucial for the spread of jazz, resulting in the acquisition of the style stereotyped as rebellious.

Despite this, during the same period, jazz became popular throughout various parts of the country, gaining traction even among members of America’s elite, who were otherwise opposed to anything associated with Black culture.

After World War I, the potential of jazz was realized as it was incorporated into the show business industry.

Cinema, radio, theater, and performances began to feature jazz significantly. Moreover, the record industry played a pivotal role in popularizing jazz, making it a household staple for Americans.

Chicago and New York, in turn, became important hubs for the reception and distribution of music across the country.

Society

The audience, aspiring musicians, and Black migrants in search of better living conditions included trumpeters Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke and pianist Fletcher Henderson, pioneers in the field who brought jazz to American culture.

However, it is important to note that after abolition, racial segregation continued until the end of the 1960s.

Even residents of the White House who consumed blues and jazz, which had obvious and undeniable Black influence, agreed with racial exclusivity.

For “colored people,” there were separate restrooms, bus seats, and even commercial establishments.

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Source of information: sabra.org.br

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