March 6, 2014
(Standing, left to right: Buddy Johnson, trombone; Willie "Bunk" Johnson, cornet; "Big Eye" Louis Nelson Delisle, clarinet; Billy Marrero, string bass. Seated, left to right: Walter Brundy, drums; Peter Bocage, violin & leader; Richard Payne, guitar.)
What is Jazz? The Webster dictionary defines it as American music developed especially from ragtime and blues and characterized by propulsive syncopated rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, varying degrees of improvisation, and often deliberate distortions of pitch and timbre. In more simple words, jazz is music originating in New Orleans around the time of the 20th century. Jazz can go from having complex styles, to melodic freedom. Jazz can be interpreted in many different ways.
Origin:
Jazz, as we said before, was originated in New Orleans about 100 years ago. That doesn't mean that the roots of jazz was all from New Orleans. The roots go as far as to Africa and Europe. Jazz got a lot of things from African and European music. From Africa it got rhythm and feel, "blues" quality, and tradition of playing an instrument in your own expressive way. From Europe, it got harmony and the instruments. Many of the instruments used in jazz were from Europe. For example, the saxophone, trumpet, and piano. The improvisation part of jazz came from both Africa and Europe. New Orleans was where it originated, but that doesn't mean their roots came from there too.
Purpose:
Jazz was developed by slaves. They came up with their music as they were working on the plantations. Songs were later adapted by the indigenous people. At the end of slave trade, the slaves were free and as a way of expression, they also started doing music and the emergence of jazz music. Jazz was created to help people express their feelings. African Americans were going through a hard time and they created jazz to help express themselves. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WojNaU4-kI&feature=share&list=PLFF9C1FAAF6B4321B&index=2
Value:
African Americans were going through one of the toughest times in their lives. They were being used and abused. They were being discriminated. No one cared for them. Instead of putting their anger and sadness into violence, they put it into music. What other way to express oneself, than through the arts. SInce jazz was created from different roots, different cultures, many people enjoyed it. The African Americans were not the only ones to use it. Jazz became the symbol to express ones emotion. From happiness, to anger, to sadness, jazz had it all. People shared their emotions. Jazz became an icon.
Limitations:
Something that jazz cannot tell us about the 1910's, is what pain everyone went through. We don't know why jazz was created for expressing emotion. We don't know why it's called jazz. We don't know how jazz brought everyone together. Somehow this genre of music became a sensation. It united people all across the country. We just don't know how.
Citations:
I also thoroughly enjoyed the blog, mainly because of my interest in music. Overall, great job!
ReplyDeleteMy Uncle Water Brundy on drums.
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