I have always been decently musical my
whole life, and jazz was a genre I was really taking an interest in. Upon
taking the class, most of the readings were quite interesting and not dull. I
had hoped that this class was just as thrilling and exciting, and demanded more
attention on different songs and artists. Of course, I wanted to learn about
the cities that influenced jazz, but I was more interested on important artists
such as Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, and Stan Getz, and their
specific songs that changed the styles of jazz.
My
assumptions before taking this class were somewhat revised. Although learning
about Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, and Thelonious Monk was super interesting,
I found that most of what I learned was the social and cultural aspect to jazz.
Rather than focusing mainly on artists, the class structured around city’s and styles
of jazz. The different, distinct sounds were definitely awe-striking as they
were pertinent to the lifestyle at their times, such as the blues from work
songs and stride from Harlem. San Juan Hill was a battlefield between all sorts
of races in New York, but each culture’s diversity brought the great, robust
tradition of New York jazz. I found that it is not rather so much the artists
themselves, but the cities that connected their musicality that incorporated
our understanding of the history of jazz.
After taking this class, I understood
that jazz is completely American, not just African-American. I had a pre-conceived
notion that jazz was based solely on Black principles and that white people who
tried to play jazz were only trying to pretend to understand the pain and
suffering of African Americans. Although parts of my pre-knowledge are true,
jazz did not form only through African-Americans; rather it was a process
called syncretism that incorporated most of jazz’s original principles. Some
scholars believe that jazz was the African style of playing European music. But
really, it was the blues from the slaves and ragtime from the Creoles that
created our understanding of jazz.
And jazz continually developed. In
Chicago, soloing and improvisation became important to sustaining a jazz
lifestyle. Racism and prejudice separated social classes and presented
different methods to performing jazz. In fact, even the social aspect to the
cities such as Kansas City incorporated an element of atmosphere where jazz was
interchangeable with gambling, bootlegging, and prostitution; basically sex.
Jazz was rebellious, a pop culture spread through radio, and a boiling pot of many
cultures. Basically, it was an American genre of music. And that is exactly
what is so intriguing and exciting about jazz! The pure form developed from
America relating to mixing of cultures that initially started with an African
music and dance tradition. Thus, I have a deeper appreciation of jazz, as it
represents my homeland. Plus, it’s super catchy and danceable.