Cultural Changes in the 20's
The 1920s saw many changes that overturned the previous Victorian era and shaped our world today. Society was undergoing an overhaul, and the rise of Jazz was a part of these changes. The attitudes towards Jazz reflect the changing values of society and gives us an insight into the 1920s life.
But what was Jazz?
Jazz music was a combination of African and European music. New Orleans, America, was the birthplace of Jazz, where African slaves combined their music with European music and marching band instruments. Jazz also combined elements of ragtime, improvisation and typical African style melodies with the harmony and instruments of European music. This new style of music was initally played by African-Americans, but later spread to the white community. After its success in America, Jazz quickly spread around the rest of the world.
Jazz music was first considered vulgar as it was thought the music of African Americans (black people). The genre of jazz was established when nearly one million African Americans left the cities, towns, and farms of the South to seek improved economic and political conditions. A reason jazz was created because America was urbanizing rapidly. This migration, more than any other historical event, defined the social and intellectual significance of jazz for African Americans. Many of these jazz musicians moved to Chicago or to New York where the benefits of performing as a talented musician were great.
Jazz music was first considered vulgar as it was thought the music of African Americans (black people). The genre of jazz was established when nearly one million African Americans left the cities, towns, and farms of the South to seek improved economic and political conditions. A reason jazz was created because America was urbanizing rapidly. This migration, more than any other historical event, defined the social and intellectual significance of jazz for African Americans. Many of these jazz musicians moved to Chicago or to New York where the benefits of performing as a talented musician were great.