Jazz originated in New Orleans in the late 19th century as a fusion of various musical styles. It blended elements of brass bands, ragtime, blues, and European classical music that were all present in the diverse, multi-ethnic culture of New Orleans at the time. Specifically, early jazz incorporated the syncopated rhythms of ragtime and the improvisation and vocal style of the blues. This unique blend of African and European influences first emerged in red light districts like Storyville in New Orleans and then spread to other cities across America in the early 20th century.

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.

3. Black Regiment Band

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

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