Early Jazz

Jazz Music emerged as as a recognizable musical form around the turn of the 20the century. The roots of jazz, however, extend backward over several centuries. Jazz music represents the "synthesis of many cultural influences...that was achieved through the institution of slavery." Jazz music combines elements of African music with elements of Western European music.

African music differs from European music both technically and sociologically. Technically, African rhythms are more complex than those used in Western European Music. Often, several drummers would play at the same time weaving a complex rhythm known as polyrhythms. Sociologically, African society emphasized mass participation in musical performances to a far greater extent than European society did. In an African performance there would be a leader, drummers, and possibly other instrumentalists. The audience would often participate by clapping in time and shouting a response to phrases sung by the musicians. Slaves in the New World used these "response-cries" in their work routines and social and religious activities. White Americans called them "field hollers. Jazz musicians would later apply the term "call-response" to these plantation songs.

Western European Music also influenced the development of jazz. European harmonies from church hymns, folk songs, dances, military marches and airs, and classical compositions all affected the development of jazz. Essentially Africa's principal contribution to jazz was rhythm, Europe's was harmony, and both helped to furnish melody; It was African Americans, however, who combined the three to produce jazz.

The earliest "jazz bands" took root around New Orleans. Among these bands were those led by Joe "King" Oliver, Louis Armstrong, and Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton. These bands played a style of music that would come to be known as Dixieland. Dixieland bands included cornets (or trumpets), clarinets, "tailgate" trombones, tubas, banjos, and drums. Smaller Dixieland bands developed to play in small bars and bordellos that existed in the seamier parts of New Orleans. In these bands a string bass or a piano would often replace the tuba.

The essence of Dixieland lies in its use of "collective improvisation". Collective improvisation uses the three leaed instruments, usually th ehorns, to improvise contrapuntal melodies above a steady beat from the rhythm section. Within the improvisation the players would follow certain patterns and formulas in order to produce the "dixieland sound." Although each instrument would be playing a slightly different melody they would all blend together harmonically. If you would like to learn more about the "early jazz" style go to "early jazz" in the interactive education section.

One of the most important early jazz bands was The Original Dixieland Jazz Band. They made the first ever jazz recordings! Some of the most important "early jazz" artists were Joe Oliver , Bix Biederbecke, Louis Armstrong, Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton, and Fats Waller.

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