History of Jazz music

As the music has developed and spread around the world it has drawn on many different national, regional and local musical cultures giving rise, since its early 20th century American beginnings, to many different jazz subgenres:

New Orleans jazz began in the 1890′s as brass band performances of gospel songs and marches. With this came along the formation of the big bands, such as the great jazz pianist and bandleader William Basie. This style of jazz still exists today and is normally referred to as the original style of jazz. This style is also considered to be ensemble jazz and is known for its polyphonic texture.

The Chicago Style of jazz music evolved after 1917. Chicago then became the home of jazz music because of the prohibition in the south. Unemployed musicians moved to the Chicago area playing new sounds and searching for places to play the new, exciting style of jazz. With this style the musicians play popular songs with a more homophonic sound. This is the era when the piano is introduced into the background accompaniments.

Bebop came about through and after World War II. It became a fast, but upbeat use of tempos, using elaborate melody and rhythmic patterns. With Bebop, the beat of jazz became lighter. During the later 1940′s, Bebop combined dissonance and abstract chording with traditional jazz. This style showed more emphasis on the solo performer.

Later came the style known as Fusion. This style of jazz subgenres reflects back closer to the jazz tradition. Only now the use of electrical and acoustic instruments gives a more modern sound.

What are you know about history of jazz timeline?

1700s –The roots of jazz can be traced back to the times of slavery where slave work songs were created in the form of “call-and-response.” To tell a story, and pass the time, a song leader would call out a line and the rest of the workers would resond to his call. Soulful songs called “spirituals” were also sung by slaves. These expressed their strong religious beliefs as well as their desire for freedom.

1800s – During this era, America became known as the “land of opportunity.” Many Europeans immigrated to different American cities in search of fortune and a better life. With these immigrants came a variety of musical traditions as well, such as Irish gigs, German waltzes, and French quadrilles.The African American composer Scott Joplin combined these newly introduced European compositional styles with the rhythmic and melodic music of the black community. This became known as “ragtime.”

History of jazz timeline 1900s – New Orleans played a great role in the evolution of jazz music in the 20th century. At this time, the people of New Orleans hailed from many different cultures. As new settlers arrived in New Orleans, musical traditions from all over the world began to unite. African American musicians merged European musical tradition with such music as blues, ragtime, and marching band to create a new style of music—jazz.

1920s – African Americans began migrating to northern cities like Chicago and New York in search of better opportunity. With them, they brought the sounds of jazz and blues. Young Americans began to embrace this new style of music by listening and dancing to jazz and blues. This represented a rebellion against their parent's old-fashioned views. For the first time radios and record players were widely available in stores. This encouraged the popularity and growth of jazz music. Jazz went from being played only in New Orleans to becoming a staple of the American airwaves, dance halls, and homes.

History of jazz timeline1960s – The civil rights movement also had an impact on jazz and the jazz music scene. African American jazz artists had long resented the white owned record companies and clubs that controlled their income. Some artists wanted to break away from these establishments and control their own music.

1970s– Present – Throughout the rest of the 20th century, jazz continued to evolve and take on new forms. The 1970's saw the popularity of fusion; the 1980's are known for acid jazz and its return to classic blues; the 1990's introduced smooth jazz and retro swing.