1. Origins of Jazz Music
Where Jazz was developed
Different styles of music that
influenced early jazz
Different ethnicities and their
culture that influenced jazz
Two musical styles most
responsible for shaping jazz
2. Brass Bands in Civil War
Both North and South employed
Military bands.
4. African Heritage
Most slaves were captured in West Africa. Not all
African music is the same – many regional and
tribal differences.
Example of music and dance from Mali:
West Africa Dance and Song
In Africa, rhythm and music is part of everyday life.
Foli - Rhythm is Everywhere
5. African-American song in the USA
Slaves, and later freed workers sang “work
songs” to help to make their work day go by
faster.
Work Song
John and Alan Lomax traveled the Southern
USA in the 1930s-40s, recording many work
songs, prison songs, and folk songs.
6. Some African musical sensibilities, such as the
prominent role of the drums, survived into the
generations after slavery.
But Black musicians in New Orleans were not
playing African music. They were playing
European based forms of music, such as Brass
Band marching music and classical music.
7. Music of the African-American Church
musical examples
The “Fairfield Four” a cappella gospel group:
Gospel Vocal Quintet
Aretha Franklin singing gospel music:
Mary, Don't You Weep
(start @1:00 – 5:05)
8. Turn of the Century New Orleans
New Orleans was a very
cosmopolitan & liberal city
As a port city a large variety
of immigrants & ethnicities
Musicians well respected and
hired for all types of events
Creoles: light skinned
blacks of African/European
descent. Many were musically
trained in the classics.
9. Musical New Orleans
Huge variety of musical styles
present in New Orleans
Orchestras, opera houses,
brass bands, string bands, etc.
Congo Square-Area where
slaves were allowed to
perform, continued to 1885
Military bands provided
music for social dances
10. Origins of Ragtime
Most popular form of music
in late 1800’s & early 1900’s
Began as a solo piano style in
Missouri towns & spread by
sale of sheet music
Incorporated elements of
classical piano styles and
American marching bands
11. Ragtime
Name came from “ragging”
or syncopating the beat
Ragtime involved little or no
improvisation
Ragtime bands were used for
social dances
Huge increase in sales of
pianos & player pianos
12. Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin (1868-1917)
famous ragtime composer
“Maple Leaf Rag” over 1
million copies of sheet music
(in our Listening Folder)
Elevated the style to an
important musical form
“The Entertainer” used in
movies, still played today
13.
14. Origins of the Blues
First developed by African-
Americans in rural south
Came from spirituals, work
songs, field hollers, shouts
Began as an unaccompanied
vocal style
Later instruments like banjo
& guitar accompanied
15. Blues
“Evil twin” of black gospel
church music
Call and response, blues
notes typical of style
Improvisation important
element of the blues
In 1890’s spread to urban
cities like New Orleans
16. Howlin’ Wolf (Chester Arthur Burnett) (1910 – 1976)
Howlin' Wolf explains the Blues
the Wolf in action
17. Origins of Jazz
Jazz developed in New
Orleans in the 1890’s
Blended blues, ragtime, brass
bands, church, classical, etc.
Borrowed syncopated
rhythms form ragtime
Borrowed idea of
improvisation from the blues.
Utilized the bent notes and
nuances of the blues.
18. Jazz
Borrowed blues vocal style,
blues & ragtime repertoire
Developed in New Orleans
in areas like Storyville district
Originally called “Jass” for
jasmine perfume worn by
prostitutes in Storyville
Spread to other cities
throughout America