The Development of Jazz
Introduction:
No matter what type of music you listen to now, it's almost certain that it was influenced by the jazz music that
became popular earlier in the twentieth century. People of all races enjoy listening to and playing jazz.
However, the influence of black Americans on jazz has been particularly significant. In this activity, you will get
an introduction to jazz as a form of music and as an important part of American culture, particularly AfricanAmerican culture, earlier in the 20th century. Be warned that in order to truly understand jazz, you need to
listen to it. This activity provides just a brief introduction to what will hopefully become an appreciation for the
sounds of jazz.
Part One: The History of Jazz - Early Jazz
Read the information on the early history of jazz at:
Jass.com: An Overview (scroll down and click on overview)
http://www.jass.com/
Answer the following questions based on what you've read at these sites:
1. When did the music form we now call jazz begin?
2. Where did jazz develop?
3. What cities became centers for the development of jazz?
4. How did jazz become a form of music?
5. Name some early artists of jazz.
6. Was jazz only performed and developed by African-Americans?
7. Why is jazz considered a major African-American contribution?
Go to Inside the speakeasies of the 1920s: The hidden drinking spots that transformed New York
City's night life during the prohibition era and beyond at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article2268971/Inside-speakeasies-1920s-The-hidden-drinking-spots-transformed-New-York-Citys-night-lifeprohibition-era-beyond.html
Read about some of the clubs in Harlem. Examine the pictures.
Which club did you like the most? WHY???
Answer the following questions:
1. Were the jazz clubs in Harlem visited only by blacks? Give an example to support your answer.
2. What kinds of entertainment were offered in the clubs?
3. Were all the activities that took place in the jazz clubs legal? (Were alcoholic beverages legally permitted
in the 1920s?)
Part Two: Styles of Jazz
A. Now that you've received a brief introduction to jazz history and the significance of jazz to the
early twentieth century black community, familiarize yourself with some of the major styles of
jazz. (If link doesn’t work, try copy and pasting it.)
http://www.apassion4jazz.net/jazz_styles.html
I. Describe some important features of that jazz style include:
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Some features of this style (some key words that describe what it sounds like)
One or two important jazz performers of this style if possible
Date originated if possible
1. Ragtime
2. Classic Jazz
3. Chicago style
4. Swing
5. Kansas City Style
6. Bebop
(I will do this for you. You can skip listening to the songs below.)
To really learn about jazz, of course, it's essential to listen to examples of a variety of jazz styles and famous
jazz pieces.
Please listen to part of the following examples
1. Ragtime – Scott Joplin, “Easy Winner” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdCBT_VHnUk
2. New Orleans - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quyHJODhyvo&feature=related
3. Swing – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5tucwcS-_o
4. Bebop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8QazNAZjhM&feature=related
5. Fusion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrgP1u5YWEg
Part Three: Biographies of African-Americans in Jazz
(Once again, I will play these for you. Skip to the table below.)
To become familiar with some of the most famous black jazz musicians, go to the following sites: (you can
listen to these links while you are looking up information on them.)
Benny Goodman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2S1I_ien6A
Scott Joplin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMAtL7n_-rc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPmruHc4S9Q
Louis Armstrong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLjbMBpGDA
Billie Holiday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWtUzdI5hlE
Duke Ellington http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDQpZT3GhDg
In the table below, listed are five African-American jazz musicians. Look up the bulleted
information and write the appropriate information in the right side of the column.
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Musician
Musician's birthplace, date of birth, and date of death
The city in which this person spent most of his or her time
Instrument played (or was he or she a singer or bandleader?)
Style or styles of jazz for which this person is known
An interesting event in this person's life
Name of Musician
Scott Joplin
Information found on the musician
http://www.biography.com/people/scott-joplin9357953
Louis Armstrong
http://www.swingmusic.net/ArmstrongLouis.html
Duke Ellington
http://www.biography.com/people/dukeellington-9286338
Billie Holiday
http://www.billieholiday.com/
Benny Goodman
http://www.notablebiographies.com/GiHe/Goodman-Benny.html
I hoped you enjoyed learning a little bit more about the history of jazz music. Web quest adapted from:
http://www.catalog.socialstudies.com/c/article.html?article@jazz1+s@juRX3q5Wu_ATA