The history of jazz is as rich as it sounds and as exhilarating as its variety

The promise of jazz lies in the emotion of its reverb and the creativity of its improv. And while plenty are eager to discuss the uniqueness of its sound, few are as willing to discuss the history of which it came. The trademark of jazz has always been passion. This is evidenced in today’s current performances and compositions, but it is especially significant in the early days of its advent. 

Like most artistic movements, one is hard-pressed to find an exact date of birth. Rather, it begins as a gradual development and continues on as an evolving story to be continued on through generations. 

Although jazz was born in the United States, it was the African people who truly nourished the roots of this musical genre. Slaves brought over from the Atlantic were often prevented from expressing themselves in their native musical tradition. Facing both oppression and injustice, the African slaves of the time found a way to express themselves through what we know as jazz today. At the time, it had evolved through the continued community of African-American slaves who held themselves under ruthless oppression. Through the field hollers of cotton plantations, through the work songs heard along railroads and rivers, through the various hymns and spirituals, funeral processions, parades, and banjo performances — jazz was born. 

See Also: 5 Things You Need To Know About Jazz Music In The Philippines

It was most prolific in New Orleans, Louisiana, where a rich cultural makeup contributed to the sound’s growth and development. In New Orleans, neighbourhoods consisted of Europeans, Africans, and Creoles (people of both African and European descent); all of whom had something to contribute to the city’s active musical environment. 

Another reason why jazz became so prolific in New Orleans was because while other American cities had tried to stamp out any remnants of African culture brought over by the slave trade, leaders in New Orleans had tried to regulate it, allowing a venue for the style to evolve. 

One well-known example of this was the African dance and drumming traditions, which would often take place in the area now known as Congo Square. The Mardi Gras Indians were also famous for observing demonstrations around this area in New Orleans. These demonstrations included drumming and chanting that were reminiscent of West African and Caribbean music. 

Around the turn of the millennium, from between 1890 to 1920, brass bands had become a sensation in New Orleans, as well as in the rest of the country. Ultimately, what became the standard for a New Orleans jazz band was the cornet, the clarinet, and the trombone. These horns yielded the characteristic polyphonic sound of the local jazz scene. Eventually, as its popularity spread throughout different states, and as New Orleans shut down its lively red light district, musicians started flocking to other cities such as Chicago, Kansas, and New York. This is what’s known to some as the jazz diaspora.

Many of our most beloved jazz artists took part in this diaspora — including Louis Armstrong. This was around the 1920’s, when many great jazz artists of today were just on the cusp of fame. Today, as we trace the timelines and celebrate the legacies, we see how far jazz has come and how far it has yet to go, just a handful of lifetimes ago. 

Read also: Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, And More: Jazz Legends We're Celebrating For International Jazz Day

Follow Tatler Philippines on Spotify: Tatler Jazz Playlist

Topics