The origins of Jazz
Jazz is a musical trend that originated from the southern states of the USA in the early part of the 20th century. It was generally played within African American communities and had influences from both European and American musical styles.
Jazz music was most popular in the mainstream between 1920 and 1960. Instruments that are usually used to play Jazz include the saxophone, piano, trumpet, vocals, trombone, clarinet, guitar, double bass and drums.
Between the years 1890 and 1910 the emancipation of slaves meant that there were new educational opportunities for newly freed African American people. However, despite this development the employment prospects for these people was still poor. Black musicians started to provide a 'low class' entertainment in minstrels and dances and pianists would play at bars, clubs and brothels.
In New Orleans it was common for many black musicians to play in the red light district and some marching bands that were put together within the African American community would play at lavish funerals. It was the instruments that these musicians played which would become the staple instruments of the jazz style of music. These were both brass and reed instruments that were tuned to a European 12-tone scale and drums.
Outside of America in the 1930s a European form of Jazz began to take hold in France having emerged from the 'Quintette du hot club de france'. It was a gentleman from Belgium who was a guitar virtuoso who popularised 'gypsy jazz' which had a definite American swing to it.
Today, straight jazz music continues to be very popular with a lot of people and there are many notable artists who have had long and successful recording careers as jazz musicians. These include such names as Jessica Williams, John Scofield and Wayne Shorter.
