Jazz's Beginnings
1920s:
Jazz was popularized in the 1920’s following the first world war and prohibition. It was most popular in clubs in New Orleans and Harlem. Louis Armstrong in particular was a prominent figure of jazz in the 1920’s. His style of singing was innovative and new, making him a popular improvisation artist.
1930s:
The 1930s brought about a new era of jazz: the swing era. Swing is characterized by big bands and structured arrangements. Swing was greatly based around dance, so new styles emerged as the genre grew. Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Count Basie were the top players in the field at the time, directing big orchestra with grand sounds.
1940s-1950s:
The 1940’s and 50’s introduced the Bebop Era. This era abandoned dance music for intricate melodies and faster tempos. Artists of this era preferred musical complexity. Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Thelonius Monk were the top artists of this time. In addition to Bebop, artists like Miles Davis revolutionized “Cool Jazz”, which was much more relaxed and used more improvisation.
1960s - Today
The 1960s brought about a shift in jazz culture. It moved to focus heavily on vibes more than complexity. Genres included in this subset are: free jazz, avant-garde, smooth jazz, and neo-traditionalism. These genres are known to appeal to larger audiences and oftentimes are mirroring some sort of societal event. They also blend with other genres like rock and R&B, forming new and unique sounds that grasp peoples attention.
Efforts to preserve jazz history have recently increased. Organizations like the Jazz at Lincoln Center, led by Wynton Marsalis, have archived, performed, and promoted classic jazz acts. Digital archiving projects have made recordings and historical documents accessible to researchers and enthusiasts.
