““CATCHING AS THE CATCHING AS THE SMALLPOX”SMALLPOX”

SOCIAL DANCE AND JAZZSOCIAL DANCE AND JAZZ

1917–19351917–1935

1917–19351917–1935

World War IWorld War I: “The war to end all wars”: “The war to end all wars” MigrationMigration: Country to city, South to North: Country to city, South to North Unified National Unified National popular culturepopular culture——movies, movies,

telephones, phonographs, radiotelephones, phonographs, radio Prohibition: 18Prohibition: 18thth amendment to amendment to

Constitution prohibited Constitution prohibited sale and transport sale and transport of alcoholof alcohol

Ku Klux KlanKu Klux Klan The Great DepressionThe Great Depression

1917–19351917–1935

Incredible Incredible profitsprofits in the music in the music businessbusiness

Organizations were set up to control Organizations were set up to control the flow of profits from the flow of profits from mass-mass-reproduced music. reproduced music.

Radio networks broadcast the Radio networks broadcast the latest latest songs and artists songs and artists coast to coast. coast to coast.

VaudevilleVaudeville entertainment went into a entertainment went into a gradual decline—replaced by gradual decline—replaced by Broadway musicals. Broadway musicals.

HollywoodHollywood

Films with synchronized sound—Films with synchronized sound—the the “talkies”“talkies”—became an important —became an important medium for promoting medium for promoting songs and songs and “star” entertainers.“star” entertainers.

Los Angeles Los Angeles began to compete with began to compete with New York CityNew York City as a center of the as a center of the national entertainment industry. national entertainment industry.

Technology and the Music Technology and the Music BusinessBusiness

The The record industry expanded record industry expanded rapidly rapidly after World War I. after World War I.

The music industry increasingly relied The music industry increasingly relied on phonograph records, on phonograph records, rather than rather than sheet musicsheet music, as the main means of , as the main means of promoting promoting songs and artistssongs and artists..

The introduction of radio and the The introduction of radio and the Great Depression caused a precipitous Great Depression caused a precipitous decline in the record industry. decline in the record industry.

Technology and the Music Technology and the Music BusinessBusiness

Acoustic recordingAcoustic recording– Early process for recording sound vibrations Early process for recording sound vibrations

Electric recordingElectric recording– Introduced in 1925; sound is converted to an Introduced in 1925; sound is converted to an

electric signal electric signal RadioRadio

– Commercial stations introduced in 1920Commercial stations introduced in 1920 Sound filmSound film

– Introduced in 1927Introduced in 1927– Became an important means for the Became an important means for the

dissemination of popular music dissemination of popular music

Licensing and Copyright Licensing and Copyright AgenciesAgencies

Set up to Set up to control the flow of profits control the flow of profits from the sale and broadcast of from the sale and broadcast of popular musicpopular music

ASCAP (the ASCAP (the American Society of American Society of Composers, Authors, and PublishersComposers, Authors, and Publishers) )

– Founded in Founded in 19141914– Forced all business establishments that Forced all business establishments that

featured live music to pay fees featured live music to pay fees (“(“royaltiesroyalties”) for the ”) for the public use of musicpublic use of music

““Freak Dances”:Freak Dances”:Turkey Trot and TangoTurkey Trot and Tango

At the beginning of the twentieth century, At the beginning of the twentieth century, several changes took place in several changes took place in American social dancing.

Most important was the Most important was the intensified intensified influence influence of African American dance. of African American dance.

Dance fads loosely based on black styles Dance fads loosely based on black styles included included the turkey trot, the turkey trot, the bunny hug, the grizzly bear, and the most popular, the , and the most popular, the fox-trotfox-trot. .

The turkey trot was banned in some places The turkey trot was banned in some places because it was seen as because it was seen as a threat to public a threat to public morality. morality.

Vernon and Irene CastleVernon and Irene Castle

The biggest The biggest media superstars media superstars of the of the World War I eraWorld War I era

Husband-and-wife dance team Husband-and-wife dance team who did who did more than anyone to change the course of more than anyone to change the course of social dancingsocial dancing in America in America

Attracted millions of middle-class Attracted millions of middle-class Americans into Americans into ballroom classes

Vernon and Irene CastleVernon and Irene Castle Established an image of Established an image of mastery, charisma, and mastery, charisma, and

romance romance Made Made syncopated dance syncopated dance acceptable to the acceptable to the

mainstream mainstream Created a Created a simple way to learn dances simple way to learn dances such as the such as the

fox-trot and the tangofox-trot and the tango Fox-trotFox-trot

– Created by Vernon and Irene CastleCreated by Vernon and Irene Castle– Danced to W. C. Handy’s musicDanced to W. C. Handy’s music

TangoTango– Developed in the late nineteenth century in Buenos Aires, Developed in the late nineteenth century in Buenos Aires,

ArgentinaArgentina– Blended European ballroom dance music, Cuban Blended European ballroom dance music, Cuban

habanera, Italian light opera, and the ballads of Argentine habanera, Italian light opera, and the ballads of Argentine gauchos (cowboys) gauchos (cowboys)

James Reese Europe (1880James Reese Europe (1880––1919) 1919)

African American African American musician and musician and bandleader bandleader

Born into a Born into a middle-class family middle-class family in in Mobile, AlabamaMobile, Alabama

In In 18891889, moved with his family to , moved with his family to Washington, D.CWashington, D.C. .

Studied Studied violin and music theory violin and music theory from from the assistant director to the U.S. the assistant director to the U.S. Marine Corps Band Marine Corps Band

James Reese Europe (1880James Reese Europe (1880––1919)1919)

Moved Moved to New York City to New York City at the age of at the age of 2222– Found few opportunities for black musicians Found few opportunities for black musicians – Played Played ragtime piano in cabaretsragtime piano in cabarets– Directed the music for several Directed the music for several all-black vaudeville revues all-black vaudeville revues

In In 19101910, founded the , founded the Clef ClubClef Club– A social club, booking agency, and trade union for A social club, booking agency, and trade union for African African

American musiciansAmerican musicians in New York City in New York City In In 19131913, the Castles attended a society party in New York , the Castles attended a society party in New York

City where they danced to Europe’s City where they danced to Europe’s Clef Club OrchestraClef Club Orchestra. . – Afterward, the Castles made James Reese Europe their Afterward, the Castles made James Reese Europe their musical musical

director.director. – From From 1913 to 19181913 to 1918, Europe composed music for , Europe composed music for all of the all of the

Castles’ “new” dance stepsCastles’ “new” dance steps and provided musicians for their and provided musicians for their engagements. engagements.

Europe’s Society Orchestra Europe’s Society Orchestra

In 1913, Europe’s Society Orchestra In 1913, Europe’s Society Orchestra became the became the first black group to sign first black group to sign a contracta contract with a record company. with a record company.

Europe’s band was noted for its Europe’s band was noted for its superior abilitysuperior ability to perform to perform syncopated ragtime and tango syncopated ragtime and tango arrangements. arrangements.

The Hell Fighters BandThe Hell Fighters Band In In 19161916, Europe enlisted in the , Europe enlisted in the 15th Infantry 15th Infantry

Regiment Regiment of the New York National Guard.of the New York National Guard. He was soon asked by the commander to form a He was soon asked by the commander to form a

military band. military band. His troop was His troop was forbiddenforbidden to fight alongside white to fight alongside white

soldiers in World War I, so the outfit soldiers in World War I, so the outfit was was transferred to the French Army.transferred to the French Army.

Europe’s company was known as the Europe’s company was known as the ““Hell Fighters.” .” – Played several concerts in Paris Played several concerts in Paris – Had a successful concert tourHad a successful concert tour– Made recordings for Made recordings for PathePathe, a French company with a , a French company with a

studio in New Yorkstudio in New York In In May 1919May 1919, Europe was , Europe was fatally stabbed fatally stabbed by one of by one of

his musicians. his musicians.

Listening: “Castle House Listening: “Castle House Rag”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

““CATCHING AS THE CATCHING AS THE SMALLPOX”SMALLPOX”

The Jazz CrazeThe Jazz Craze

1917–19351917–1935

The Jazz CrazeThe Jazz Craze Until World War I, the major influence on Until World War I, the major influence on

syncopated dance music was syncopated dance music was ragtime. ragtime. The next stage in the The next stage in the African African

Americanization Americanization of ballroom dance was the of ballroom dance was the so-called so-called jazz crazejazz craze..

Began during World War I and continued Began during World War I and continued through the 1920sthrough the 1920s

New Orleans JazzNew Orleans Jazz

The earliest style of Jazz originated in The earliest style of Jazz originated in New New Orleans around 1900.Orleans around 1900.

New Orleans contained a unique mix of New Orleans contained a unique mix of white, white, Creole, French, Spanish, and black communities. Creole, French, Spanish, and black communities.

This cultural mix helped form a This cultural mix helped form a hybrid musical hybrid musical culture culture unlike that in any other American City. unlike that in any other American City.

The term “jazz” carried multiple meanings in New The term “jazz” carried multiple meanings in New OrleansOrleans Strictly musical references Strictly musical references (“speeding up” or (“speeding up” or

“intensifying”)“intensifying”)

New Orleans’s Diverse New Orleans’s Diverse Musical TraditionsMusical Traditions

Marching bandsMarching bands Mardi Gras and funerary processionsMardi Gras and funerary processions French and Italian opera French and Italian opera Caribbean and Mexican music—“the Latin Caribbean and Mexican music—“the Latin

tinge”tinge” Tin Pan Alley songsTin Pan Alley songs

African American song traditionsAfrican American song traditions

Early Jazz BandsEarly Jazz Bands Dance bands of the period typically included Dance bands of the period typically included

some combination of some combination of violin, guitar, mandolin, and violin, guitar, mandolin, and string bass, and sometimes a wind instrument string bass, and sometimes a wind instrument (clarinet or cornet).(clarinet or cornet).

““Hot” or “ratty” Hot” or “ratty” ragtime-based music was being ragtime-based music was being performed in New Orleans by the 1890s, largely performed in New Orleans by the 1890s, largely as an as an accompaniment for dancing.accompaniment for dancing.

This sort of music was played at This sort of music was played at dance halls or dance halls or honky-tonkshonky-tonks such as the Pig Ankle and the Funky such as the Pig Ankle and the Funky Butt.Butt.

The rowdy contexts for social dancing The rowdy contexts for social dancing encouraged the addition of instruments that encouraged the addition of instruments that could could project over the noise of a boisterous project over the noise of a boisterous crowd.crowd.

The Original Dixieland Jazz The Original Dixieland Jazz BandBand

Made the first recording with the name Made the first recording with the name “jass” “jass” in New Yorkin New York

White group from New Orleans White group from New Orleans The leader of the group, The leader of the group, Nick LaRocca Nick LaRocca

(1889–(1889– 1961), had started playing “hot 1961), had started playing “hot music” with other white musicians as a music” with other white musicians as a teenager. teenager.

The Original Dixieland Jazz The Original Dixieland Jazz BandBand

Spent Spent two years in Chicago two years in Chicago before coming before coming to New York Cityto New York City

Landed a recording contract with Landed a recording contract with Victor Victor RecordsRecords. .

““Livery Stable Blues” Livery Stable Blues” and and “Dixieland Jass “Dixieland Jass Band One-step”Band One-step” released in 1917 released in 1917

Within weeks created a Within weeks created a national fad national fad for for jazz music jazz music

The Original Dixieland Jazz The Original Dixieland Jazz BandBand

Their biggest hit was their 1918 recording Their biggest hit was their 1918 recording of of “Tiger Rag,” “Tiger Rag,” composed by LaRocca. composed by LaRocca.

Listening: “Tiger Rag”Listening: “Tiger Rag” Recorded by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in Recorded by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in 19181918.. Front line—three wind instruments: Front line—three wind instruments: cornet, clarinet, cornet, clarinet,

and tromboneand trombone Cornet typically carries Cornet typically carries main melodymain melody Clarinet weaves a Clarinet weaves a countermelodycountermelody in and around in and around

cornet’scornet’s Trombone plays a simple countermelody or Trombone plays a simple countermelody or bass bass

notes of chordnotes of chord Often, trombone slides or smears from one note to Often, trombone slides or smears from one note to

the nextthe next Rhythm section—Rhythm section—piano and trap setpiano and trap set Collective improvisation Collective improvisation

One of the most significant musical elements of One of the most significant musical elements of New Orleans– style jazzNew Orleans– style jazz

Listening: “Tiger Rag”Listening: “Tiger Rag” Consists of a series of Consists of a series of musical phrases of musical phrases of

regular lengthregular length, presented one after the , presented one after the other other

Contains Contains no strongly identified melodyno strongly identified melody Sense of novelty in musical tricksSense of novelty in musical tricks

““StoptimeStoptime”” Instrumental techniquesInstrumental techniques (the glides and (the glides and

slides played by the trombone and slides played by the trombone and clarinet)clarinet)

The energy level remains high throughout The energy level remains high throughout the performance, peaking at the “the performance, peaking at the “shout shout choruschorus.”.”

““King” Joe Oliver and the King” Joe Oliver and the Creole Jazz BandCreole Jazz Band

The The first representative recordings of New first representative recordings of New Orleans–style jazzOrleans–style jazz was made by “King” Joe Oliver was made by “King” Joe Oliver and his Creole Jazz Band.and his Creole Jazz Band. More More relaxed and flowing relaxed and flowing rhythmic feelingrhythmic feeling Syncopations Syncopations smoother and less jerkysmoother and less jerky ImprovisationImprovisation plays a prominent role plays a prominent role

ODJB’s recordings are rooted in the past—a ODJB’s recordings are rooted in the past—a tradition of tradition of semi-improvised ragtime ensemble semi-improvised ragtime ensemble playingplaying

The Creole Jazz Band’s recordings, featuring the The Creole Jazz Band’s recordings, featuring the brilliant young cornet player brilliant young cornet player Louis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong, , point toward the future of jazz.point toward the future of jazz.

Dance Music in the “Jazz Dance Music in the “Jazz Age” Age”

The “Jazz Age”The “Jazz Age” An An era in American popular culture era in American popular culture sparked by sparked by

the success of the recordings of the Original the success of the recordings of the Original Dixieland Jazz BandDixieland Jazz Band

A new subculture emerged from the white upper A new subculture emerged from the white upper and middle classes and middle classes The The “jazz babies” or “flappers”“jazz babies” or “flappers” The The “jazzbos” or “sheiks” “jazzbos” or “sheiks”

This movement involved a blend of elements This movement involved a blend of elements from from “high culture” and from popular culture“high culture” and from popular culture

The jazz craze represented the The jazz craze represented the intensification of intensification of African American influenceAfrican American influence on the musical tastes on the musical tastes and buying habits of white Americans.and buying habits of white Americans.

Noble Sissle (1899–1975) Noble Sissle (1899–1975) and Eubie Blake (1883–and Eubie Blake (1883–

1983)1983) Began their career with James Reese Began their career with James Reese Europe’s orchestra in Europe’s orchestra in 19161916

In 1921, Sissle and Blake launched the In 1921, Sissle and Blake launched the first successful first successful all-black Broadway all-black Broadway musical, musical, Shuffle AlongShuffle Along..

This show included jazz-influenced songs This show included jazz-influenced songs such as “such as “I’m Just Wild about HarryI’m Just Wild about Harry.”.”

Portrayed Portrayed romantic relationships between romantic relationships between black characters black characters without resorting to without resorting to degrading stereotypesdegrading stereotypes

Racism in the Jazz AgeRacism in the Jazz Age The world of dance orchestras remained The world of dance orchestras remained strictly segregatedstrictly segregated.. The most successful The most successful black dance bands black dance bands of the 1920s were of the 1920s were

able to able to extend their appeal extend their appeal across racial boundaries.across racial boundaries. During the late 1920s, During the late 1920s, white jazz fans white jazz fans began to frequent began to frequent

nightclubs in nightclubs in African American neighborhoodsAfrican American neighborhoods. . At Harlem’s famous At Harlem’s famous Cotton ClubCotton Club, the great jazz pianist and , the great jazz pianist and

composer composer Duke Ellington Duke Ellington developed a style that he called developed a style that he called ““jungle musicjungle music,” featuring dense textures and dark, growling ,” featuring dense textures and dark, growling timbres. timbres.

Most economically successful dance bands of the 1920s and Most economically successful dance bands of the 1920s and 1930s were 1930s were led and staffed by white musiciansled and staffed by white musicians. .

Dance Music in the Jazz AgeDance Music in the Jazz Age Dance bands during the 1920s and 1930s Dance bands during the 1920s and 1930s

tended to specialize in one of three styles:tended to specialize in one of three styles: ““HotHot” ”

Specialized in Specialized in syncopated jazz arrangementssyncopated jazz arrangements Popular at Popular at college dancescollege dances

““SweetSweet”” Romantic and nostalgic musicRomantic and nostalgic music Guy Lombardo and His Royal CanadiansGuy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians

““LatinLatin”” Music to accompany ballroom adaptations of Music to accompany ballroom adaptations of

South American and Caribbean dancesSouth American and Caribbean dances Reignited national fascination with Latin Reignited national fascination with Latin

American music and American music and ballroom dance stepsballroom dance steps

Don Azpiazu and his Havana Don Azpiazu and his Havana Casino Orchestra (1930)Casino Orchestra (1930)

Recording opens with the Recording opens with the clave rhythmclave rhythm Complex ensemble texture with Complex ensemble texture with

interlocking partsinterlocking parts Solo trumpet and solo voiceSolo trumpet and solo voice

Paul Whiteman (1890–1967)Paul Whiteman (1890–1967) “The King of Jazz” “The King of Jazz”

Born in Born in Denver, ColoradoDenver, Colorado Began studying music at the age of seven and Began studying music at the age of seven and

joined the joined the Denver Symphony Orchestra Denver Symphony Orchestra as a as a violist at seventeen violist at seventeen

Initially encountered syncopated dance music Initially encountered syncopated dance music in in San Francisco San Francisco before World War Ibefore World War I

Soon thereafter, formed a Soon thereafter, formed a seven-piece dance seven-piece dance band, band, which played around San Francisco until which played around San Francisco until 1916, when he enlisted in the navy1916, when he enlisted in the navy

Had incredible commercial successHad incredible commercial success Widened the market for jazz-based dance music-Widened the market for jazz-based dance music-

and and paved the way for the Swing Era paved the way for the Swing Era Hired brilliant Hired brilliant young jazz musicians and arrangersyoung jazz musicians and arrangers

Listening: “Whispering” Listening: “Whispering” Recorded at the Recorded at the Victor studios Victor studios after he had after he had

begun a long engagement at the begun a long engagement at the Ambassador HotelAmbassador Hotel

The The firstfirst of Whiteman’s amazing of Whiteman’s amazing string of hit string of hit recordsrecords; contained the musical seeds of ; contained the musical seeds of Whiteman’s future successesWhiteman’s future successes

Played at a medium tempoPlayed at a medium tempo A straightforward, bouncy A straightforward, bouncy fox-trot rhythmfox-trot rhythm Appropriate for Appropriate for ballroom dancing ballroom dancing in the in the

style popularized by style popularized by Irene and Vernon Irene and Vernon CastleCastle

Whiteman’s Symphonic JazzWhiteman’s Symphonic Jazz

A mixture of A mixture of syncopation and careful syncopation and careful arrangement, rhythmic pep and gentilityarrangement, rhythmic pep and gentility

The 1924 debut of George Gershwin’s The 1924 debut of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in BlueRhapsody in Blue Featured Whiteman’s Featured Whiteman’s band band

Whiteman widened the market forWhiteman widened the market for jazz- jazz-based dance music based dance music and paved the way for and paved the way for the Swing Era.the Swing Era.