1. Jazz In America Yesterday & Today
By Chris Jackson
Period 4 APUSH

2. Focus
Jazz culture serves as a reflection of the time period, continually evolving while remaining true to its original roots as a vehicle of individual expression.
How has African-American influence shaped the evolution of jazz music?
What were the prominent styles of jazz throughout the 20th century?
How has jazz evolved to reflect the time period?
How does contemporary music show its roots in jazz?

3. What Is Jazz?
West Coast slang referring to the music of Chicago around 1915
There were several basic features that remain true even today:
Improvisation
Syncopation
Blue notes
Polyrhythms
Swung notes }
These elements represented a distinct breakaway from the traditional European music of the time

4. African-American Background
Jazz is a result of African-American and European contact
Based on the “call-and-response” pattern of African oral tradition
Served as a raw and energetic rebuttal of what was musically acceptable at the time, and became the voice of a generation of African- American youth

5. Creoles Free colored peoples living in French dominated New Orleans
As offspring of French masters and African slaves, they enjoyed rights similar to those of whites
Many of them lost these privileges when the Spanish took over in 1764
Some became traveling musicians, resulting in the evolution of the Southern minstrel show and widespread exposure to African music

6. 1920s “Jazz Age”
During WWI, the Great Migration of African-Americans to the north sparked the jazz scene in Chicago and New York
Jazz was part of the Harlem Renaissance, a celebration and outpouring of African-American creativity
Prohibition encouraged many whites to visit the nightclubs of Harlem, where they were exposed to jazz performers
The invention of the radio further increased jazz’s popularity and its growth nationwide
Eddie Ross, 1921, Ross’s Reel

7. Duke Ellington, 1941, Take The ‘A’ Train
1930s “Swing”
Jazz was performed primarily in a big band setting with about 20 musicians
It also served as a form of dance music
Optimistic – attempted to boost morale in the face of the Great Depression
Benny Goodman Quartet – the first racially integrated band
Duke Ellington, 1941, Take The ‘A’ Train
Prominent artists: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong

8. Charlie Parker, 1946, Yardbird Suite
1940s “Bebop”
Charlie Parker, 1946, Yardbird Suite
Characterized primarily by significantly faster tempos and complex lines
Chordal improvisation – primary focus on the soloing aspect as opposed to the melody
1947 – The University of North Texas became the first US university to offer a degree in jazz studies
1967, Thelonious Monk
Prominent artists: Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie

9. 1960 Max Roach album, We Insist! – Freedom Now
1950s “Beat Generation”
Counter cultural movement of writers protesting primarily against conformity in society
Free Jazz Movement – turned jazz into a way to challenge racism
The evolution of rhythm and blues into rock and roll as a high art form
1960 Max Roach album, We Insist! – Freedom Now

10. Mahavishnu Orchestra, 1973, Birds of Fire
1970s - “Fusion”
Mixture of jazz improvisation with rock music’s energy and rhythms
Smooth jazz – influenced by R&B, funk and pop
Complex time signatures and rhythmic patterns, especially in guitar, base and drums
1989, Miles Davis
Mahavishnu Orchestra, 1973, Birds of Fire
Prominent artists: Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter

11. Contemporary Jazz Smooth jazz – downtempo
Mostly successful in radio format, both traditional and online
Increasing popularity of jazz worldwide, especially in Japan and Europe
Kenny G, 1986, Songbird
Prominent artists: Roy Hargrove, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard

12. Courtney Pine, 2000, The Jazzstep
Jazz & Hip Hop
Jazz rap progressed through the 1980s and 90s, incorporating jazz influence into hip hop
Early hip hop group Gang Starr released several albums sampling jazz classics as instrumentals
Similar roots of free artistic expression and raw, energetic rebellion
Courtney Pine, 2000, The Jazzstep

13. Legacy
“Jazz is also the most inclusive. It’s a music that will take anything” – Gerald Early
“It is from the blues that all that may be called American music derives its most distinctive characteristics” – James Weldon Johnson
“Jazz is hereby designated as a rare and valuable national American treasure” – H. Con. Res. 57 (1987)

14. Sources
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