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

The Jazz CrazeThe Jazz Craze

19171917––19351935

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

Americanization of ballroom dance was the Americanization of ballroom dance was the so-called jazz craze.so-called jazz 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 New Orleans The earliest style of Jazz originated in New Orleans

around 1900.around 1900. New Orleans contained a unique mix of white, New Orleans contained a unique mix of white,

Creole, French, Spanish, and black communities. Creole, French, Spanish, and black communities. This cultural mix helped form a hybrid musical This cultural mix helped form a hybrid musical

culture unlike that in any other American City. culture 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 (“speeding up” or Strictly musical references (“speeding up” or

“intensifying”)“intensifying”) A variety of sexual associationsA variety of sexual associations

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 violin, guitar, mandolin, and some combination of 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” ragtime-based music was being Hot” or “ratty” ragtime-based music was being performed in New Orleans by the 1890s, largely performed in New Orleans by the 1890s, largely as an accompaniment for dancing.as an accompaniment for dancing.

This sort of music was played at dance halls or This sort of music was played at dance halls or honky-tonks such as the Pig Ankle and the Funky honky-tonks 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 project over the noise of a boisterous could 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” in New York“jass” in New York

White group from New Orleans White group from New Orleans The leader of the group, Nick LaRocca The leader of the group, 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 two years in Chicago before coming Spent two years in Chicago before coming to New York Cityto New York City

Landed a recording contract with Victor Landed a recording contract with Victor Records. Records.

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

Within weeks created a national fad for Within weeks created a national fad 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 “Tiger Rag,” composed by LaRocca. of “Tiger Rag,” composed by LaRocca.

Listening: “Tiger Rag”Listening: “Tiger Rag” Recorded by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in 1918.Recorded by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in 1918. Front line—three wind instruments: cornet, clarinet, Front line—three wind instruments: cornet, clarinet,

and tromboneand trombone Cornet typically carries main melodyCornet typically carries main melody Clarinet weaves a countermelody in and around Clarinet weaves a countermelody in and around

cornet’scornet’s Trombone plays a simple countermelody or bass Trombone plays a simple countermelody or 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—piano and trap setRhythm section—piano 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 musical phrases of Consists of a series of musical phrases of

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

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

““Stoptime”Stoptime” Instrumental techniques (the glides and Instrumental techniques (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 “shout the performance, peaking at the “shout chorus.”chorus.”

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

The first representative recordings of New The first representative recordings of New OrleansOrleans––style jazz was made by “King” Joe Oliver style jazz was made by “King” Joe Oliver and his Creole Jazz Band.and his Creole Jazz Band. More relaxed and flowing rhythmic feelingMore relaxed and flowing rhythmic feeling Syncopations smoother and less jerkySyncopations smoother and less jerky Improvisation plays a prominent roleImprovisation plays a prominent role

ODJB’s recordings are rooted in the past—a ODJB’s recordings are rooted in the past—a tradition of semi-improvised ragtime ensemble tradition of 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 Louis Armstrong, brilliant young cornet player Louis 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 era in American popular culture sparked by An era in American popular culture 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 “jazz babies” or “flappers”The “jazz babies” or “flappers” The “jazzbos” or “sheiks” The “jazzbos” or “sheiks”

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

The jazz craze represented the intensification of The jazz craze represented the intensification of African American influence on the musical tastes African American influence 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 1916Europe’s orchestra in 1916

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

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

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

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

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

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

composer Duke Ellington developed a style that he called composer Duke Ellington developed a style that he called “jungle music,” featuring dense textures and dark, growling “jungle music,” 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 led and staffed by white musicians. 1930s were led 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: ““Hot” Hot”

Specialized in syncopated jazz arrangementsSpecialized in syncopated jazz arrangements Popular at college dancesPopular at college dances

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

““Latin”Latin” 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 ballroom dance stepsAmerican music and ballroom dance steps

Don Azpiazu and His Don Azpiazu and His Havana Casino Orchestra Havana Casino Orchestra

(1930)(1930) ““El Manicero (The Peanut Vendor)”El Manicero (The Peanut Vendor)” Recording opens with the clave rhythmRecording opens with the clave rhythm Complex ensemble texture with Complex ensemble texture with

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

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

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

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

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

Soon thereafter, formed a seven-piece dance Soon thereafter, formed a seven-piece dance band, which played around San Francisco until band, 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 paved the way for the Swing Era and paved the way for the Swing Era Hired brilliant young jazz musicians and arrangersHired brilliant young jazz musicians and arrangers

Listening: “Whispering”Listening: “Whispering”

Recorded at the Victor studios after he had Recorded at the Victor studios after he had begun a long engagement at the begun a long engagement at the Ambassador HotelAmbassador Hotel

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

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

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

Whiteman’s Symphonic JazzWhiteman’s Symphonic Jazz

A mixture of syncopation and careful A mixture of 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 Blue Featured Whiteman’s Rhapsody in Blue Featured Whiteman’s band band

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