1. “CATCHING AS THE SMALLPOX” SOCIAL DANCE AND JAZZ 1917–1935

2. 1917–1935 World War I: “The war to end all wars” World War I: “The war to end all wars” Migration: Country to city, South to North Migration: Country to city, South to North Unified National popular culture — movies, telephones, phonographs, radio Unified National popular culture — movies, telephones, phonographs, radio Prohibition: 18 th amendment to Constitution prohibited sale and transport of alcohol Prohibition: 18 th amendment to Constitution prohibited sale and transport of alcohol Ku Klux Klan Ku Klux Klan The Great Depression The Great Depression

3. 1917–1935 Incredible profits in the music business Incredible profits in the music business Organizations were set up to control the flow of profits from mass-reproduced music. Organizations were set up to control the flow of profits from mass-reproduced music. Radio networks broadcast the latest songs and artists coast to coast. Radio networks broadcast the latest songs and artists coast to coast. Vaudeville entertainment went into a gradual decline—replaced by Broadway musicals. Vaudeville entertainment went into a gradual decline—replaced by Broadway musicals.

4. Hollywood Films with synchronized sound—the “talkies”—became an important medium for promoting songs and “star” entertainers. Films with synchronized sound—the “talkies”—became an important medium for promoting songs and “star” entertainers. Los Angeles began to compete with New York City as a center of the national entertainment industry. Los Angeles began to compete with New York City as a center of the national entertainment industry.

5. Technology and the Music Business The record industry expanded rapidly after World War I. The record industry expanded rapidly after World War I. The music industry increasingly relied on phonograph records, rather than sheet music, as the main means of promoting songs and artists. The music industry increasingly relied on phonograph records, rather than sheet music, as the main means of promoting songs and artists. The introduction of radio and the Great Depression caused a precipitous decline in the record industry. The introduction of radio and the Great Depression caused a precipitous decline in the record industry.

6. Technology and the Music Business Acoustic recording Acoustic recording –Early process for recording sound vibrations Electric recording Electric recording –Introduced in 1925; sound is converted to an electric signal Radio Radio –Commercial stations introduced in 1920 Sound film Sound film –Introduced in 1927 –Became an important means for the dissemination of popular music

7. Licensing and Copyright Agencies Set up to control the flow of profits from the sale and broadcast of popular music Set up to control the flow of profits from the sale and broadcast of popular music ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) –Founded in 1914 –Forced all business establishments that featured live music to pay fees (“royalties”) for the public use of music

8. “Freak Dances”: Turkey Trot and Tango At the beginning of the twentieth century, several changes took place in American social dancing. At the beginning of the twentieth century, several changes took place in American social dancing. Most important was the intensified influence of African American dance. Most important was the intensified influence of African American dance. Dance fads loosely based on black styles included the turkey trot, the bunny hug, the grizzly bear, and the most popular, the fox-trot. Dance fads loosely based on black styles included the turkey trot, the bunny hug, the grizzly bear, and the most popular, the fox-trot. The turkey trot was banned in some places because it was seen as a threat to public morality. The turkey trot was banned in some places because it was seen as a threat to public morality.

9. Vernon and Irene Castle The biggest media superstars of the World War I era The biggest media superstars of the World War I era  Husband-and-wife dance team who did more than anyone to change the course of social dancing in America Attracted millions of middle-class Americans into ballroom classes Attracted millions of middle-class Americans into ballroom classes

10. Vernon and Irene Castle Established an image of mastery, charisma, and romance Established an image of mastery, charisma, and romance Made syncopated dance acceptable to the mainstream Made syncopated dance acceptable to the mainstream Created a simple way to learn dances such as the fox- trot and the tango Created a simple way to learn dances such as the fox- trot and the tango Fox-trot Fox-trot –Created by Vernon and Irene Castle –Danced to W. C. Handy’s music Tango Tango –Developed in the late nineteenth century in Buenos Aires, Argentina –Blended European ballroom dance music, Cuban habanera, Italian light opera, and the ballads of Argentine gauchos (cowboys)

11. James Reese Europe (1880 – 1919) African American musician and bandleader African American musician and bandleader Born into a middle-class family in Mobile, Alabama Born into a middle-class family in Mobile, Alabama In 1889, moved with his family to Washington, D.C. In 1889, moved with his family to Washington, D.C. Studied violin and music theory from the assistant director to the U.S. Marine Corps Band Studied violin and music theory from the assistant director to the U.S. Marine Corps Band

12. James Reese Europe (1880 – 1919) Moved to New York City at the age of 22 Moved to New York City at the age of 22 –Found few opportunities for black musicians –Played ragtime piano in cabarets –Directed the music for several all-black vaudeville revues In 1910, founded the Clef Club In 1910, founded the Clef Club –A social club, booking agency, and trade union for African American musicians in New York City In 1913, the Castles attended a society party in New York City where they danced to Europe’s Clef Club Orchestra. In 1913, the Castles attended a society party in New York City where they danced to Europe’s Clef Club Orchestra. –Afterward, the Castles made James Reese Europe their musical director. –From 1913 to 1918, Europe composed music for all of the Castles’ “new” dance steps and provided musicians for their engagements.

13. Europe’s Society Orchestra In 1913, Europe’s Society Orchestra became the first black group to sign a contract with a record company. In 1913, Europe’s Society Orchestra became the first black group to sign a contract with a record company. Europe’s band was noted for its superior ability to perform syncopated ragtime and tango arrangements. Europe’s band was noted for its superior ability to perform syncopated ragtime and tango arrangements.

14. The Hell Fighters Band In 1916, Europe enlisted in the 15th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard. In 1916, Europe enlisted in the 15th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard. He was soon asked by the commander to form a military band. He was soon asked by the commander to form a military band. His troop was forbidden to fight alongside white soldiers in World War I, so the outfit was transferred to the French Army. His troop was forbidden to fight alongside white soldiers in World War I, so the outfit was transferred to the French Army. Europe’s company was known as the “Hell Fighters.” Europe’s company was known as the “Hell Fighters.” –Played several concerts in Paris –Had a successful concert tour –Made recordings for Pathe, a French company with a studio in New York In May 1919, Europe was fatally stabbed by one of his musicians. In May 1919, Europe was fatally stabbed by one of his musicians.

15. Listening: “Castle House Rag” Performed by James Reese Europe’s Society Orchestra (1914) Documents the transition between ragtime and syncopated dance music – –Faster tempo than traditional ragtime – –Instrumentation—popular dance orchestra – –Form—multisectional – –Syncopation