6/26/2015

More Information About Jazz Music

By Ruthie Calderon


There are several genres of music and each claims its unique fans. African American communities in the United States pride themselves as the originators of this genre of music. It is hailed as traditional style given the multicultural society that it its background. Jazz music emerged in late 19th century. It emerged in several parts of the US in the form of new independent musical style.

Generally it is hard to define this genre, because it encompasses a wide variety of music spanning over a hundred years. Most people normally try to define it from the outlook of other musical traditions like African or European music, although the definition is broader. The definitions differ as per person, with others advocating for broader definition as others prefer the narrower version.

The genre comprises of swung note, improvisation, syncopation, and polyrhythms. It has aspects of European harmony, American popular music, and brass tradition. To add on this, it unites African musical elements like blue notes and ragtime. It took on varied regional, national, and local musical cultures resulting to lots of distinctive genres while spreading all over.

Each genre of music has a crucial role, which it serves in addition to the usual entertainment purpose. One of the areas it served was uniting people, mainly its supporters despite their age differences. Jazz has been important leveler and unifier and is still held as such. It generated and sustained artistic subcultures that are responsible for nowadays new and advanced artistry.

It helped bring to attention the black culture and history. This historical role can never be forgotten. The other role it served is that of highlighting the contribution of blacks to American society. Others associate this term with racist and oppressive society where restrictions were the order of the days. To others it reminds them of failed artistic visions due to the situation of the days back then.

Fans of this genre grew with the boom of both live band appearances and recording industry. It is normally connected with nightclubs and nightlife. Experts and performers in the field widely travel performing at all types of venues from dancehalls to restaurants. Previously there was strict color bar, which performers were not expected to cross but the introduction of swing jazz resulted into global integration.

Part of evolution of this style saw female artists and innovators enter this male dominated field. Dating back to 1920s women served as instrumentalists. Female singers remained unpopular since they were given lesser roles such as pianists. Women took over from men when they got enlisted for war and still make their appearance to date. Women bands with female singers started emerging during the First World War.

To conclude, throughout history this genre continues to find innovative and talented musicians who continually redefine and reinvent it. It is wide spread in all continents and has a legacy of its own. It has a lot of legends down the line who helped make things what they are today. The rich melodies, engaging rhythms, and harmonies are just but some of things that make it unique.




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