Jazz Origin
Jazz originated in New Orleans in the late 1800's. Much like the people of New Orleans, Jazz is a collection of many cultures. Here are few examples of the people and their music that was commonly played there:
Former Slaves: Working in the city of New Orleans found much better working conditions than the cotton fields. These former slaves brought their music with them. They learned songs from the oral tradition, meaning they learned by listening to someone else and then adding their own quality to it. Styles include: spirituals, works songs (video below), and field hollers. What musical qualities do you hear in the video? Do you think it sounds the same every time they sing it?
Former Slaves: Working in the city of New Orleans found much better working conditions than the cotton fields. These former slaves brought their music with them. They learned songs from the oral tradition, meaning they learned by listening to someone else and then adding their own quality to it. Styles include: spirituals, works songs (video below), and field hollers. What musical qualities do you hear in the video? Do you think it sounds the same every time they sing it?
European Settlers: Mainly from France and Spain, but some from Ireland, England and Italy. They brought sheet music from both the classical world (see Chopin Nocturne below) and the popular world. In listening to the Chopin Nocturne performed by Arthur Rubinstein in 1965, do you think it is performed similarly by pianists today? How is that better or worse than the oral tradition? How much technical training due you think Arthur Rubinstein and other pianists need to perform a piece like this?
American Settlers: Many settlers of European heritage have lived in various parts of the USA for generations (my wife claims I'm part Welsh, even though the Welsh part of my family came over in the 1600's). Most of these early settlers became removed from the European heritage and embraced an Americana heritage. They played banjos, fiddles, and various other instruments. During the Civil War, many brass bands began to accompany both Union and Confederate armies. Trumpets (and Cornets) and Trombones and Tubas were everywhere. Quite a few ended up in New Orleans. Listen to the collection of brass bands and imagine marching along.
Ragtime: Ragtime was the popular music of late 1800's before Jazz took over. It was mainly piano music that feature syncopated or ragged rhythms. Here is a piano roll recording of a famous Scott Joplin Rag. This is an original roll of Scott Joplin performing. Hear how the rhythms are uneven? Can you march to this? Would you march an army like this?
And finally.... Listen to this brass band performing "When the Saints go Marching in" Can you hear the collective expression of the work song? Can you hear the virtuosity of the classical music, the instruments of the brass band, and the fun, syncopated rhythms of ragtime? This type of sound crowded the streets of New Orleans in the later part of the 19th century.