Jazz History - Week Three: New Orleans, Birthplace of Jazz

Introduction

• New Orleans is known as the Crescent City.
• Established by France in 1718, later ruled by French, Spanish, and sold to the US in 1803 (Louisiana Purchase).
• Known for cultural tolerance and musical diversity.

Musical Scene in New Orleans

• 19th-century classical music rivaled cities like New York.
• Had two symphony orchestras (white and Creole), and three opera houses.
• Brass bands and marching bands were highly popular.

Creoles of Color vs. Uptown Negroes

• "Creoles of Color": Free People of Color, mix of African and French descent, privileged, often trained abroad.
  • Lived in the French Quarter.
• "Uptown Negroes": Played loud, improvised music (marching band, ragtime, folk music), often couldn't read music.
  • Lived west of Canal Street, around Storyville (red light district).

Historical Locations

• Congo Square: Public square where Africans played instruments (early 1800s to 1875).
  • Famous for bamboula dance, origin of jazz dance "stomp."
• Storyville: Red light district, birthplace of many jazz pianists like Jelly Roll Morton.
  • Prostitution prevalent, origins of jazz term linked to jasmine scent.

Notable Jazz Figures

• Buddy Bolden: First important jazz musician, played cornet.
  • Known for personalized style, no recordings exist.
• Jelly Roll Morton: First jazz pianist and composer, blended composition with improvisation.
  • Known for "Dead Man's Blues" and forming "Red Hot Peppers."
• King Oliver: Influenced Louis Armstrong; known for "Snake Rag."
• Sidney Bechet: Popularized the straight soprano saxophone, known for "Cake Walking Babies from Home."

New Orleans Style

• Synonymous with early jazz; features collective improvisation (polyphonic texture).
• Front Line Instruments: Cornet (trumpet), clarinet, trombone.
  • Each instrument plays a specific melodic and harmonic role.
• Rhythm Section Instruments: Banjo, guitar, bass, piano, drums.
  • Banjo/Guitar: Strummed on each beat.
  • Bass: Bowed in two-beat style or played by tuba.
  • Piano: Played chords in stride style.

The Great Migration

• Many Black Americans moved north to escape South's oppression and for recording opportunities.

Early Jazz Recordings

• First jazz record by Original Dixieland Jazz Band in 1917.
  • Originally offered to Freddie Kepard, who turned it down.

Preservation of New Orleans Style

• Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Maintains traditional New Orleans jazz today, based in French Quarter.

Next Week Preview

• Discussion on early jazz artists including Louis Armstrong.