The document summarizes the evolution of jazz styles over three centuries, from its origins in New Orleans in the early 20th century combining African and European influences, to its spread around the world during World Wars I and II. As big bands declined after World War II, smaller ensembles and experimental improvisation became more prominent. Jazz faced challenges from new forms of entertainment like television and rock music in the 1950s-1970s, but reinvented itself through fusion and a return to its roots, maintaining a creative following into the 1980s and beyond.
The document summarizes the evolution of jazz styles over three centuries, from its origins in New Orleans in the early 20th century combining African and European influences, to its spread around the world during World Wars I and II. As big bands declined after World War II, smaller ensembles and experimental improvisation became more prominent. Jazz faced challenges from new forms of entertainment like television and rock music in the 1950s-1970s, but reinvented itself through fusion and a return to its roots, maintaining a creative following into the 1980s and beyond.
The document summarizes the evolution of jazz styles over three centuries, from its origins in New Orleans in the early 20th century combining African and European influences, to its spread around the world during World Wars I and II. As big bands declined after World War II, smaller ensembles and experimental improvisation became more prominent. Jazz faced challenges from new forms of entertainment like television and rock music in the 1950s-1970s, but reinvented itself through fusion and a return to its roots, maintaining a creative following into the 1980s and beyond.
The document summarizes the evolution of jazz styles over three centuries, from its origins in New Orleans in the early 20th century combining African and European influences, to its spread around the world during World Wars I and II. As big bands declined after World War II, smaller ensembles and experimental improvisation became more prominent. Jazz faced challenges from new forms of entertainment like television and rock music in the 1950s-1970s, but reinvented itself through fusion and a return to its roots, maintaining a creative following into the 1980s and beyond.
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The timeline of Jazz style development has evolved significantly
spanning three centuries. Since its birth, well over two dozen distinct Jazz styles have emerged, all of which are actively played today. The origins of Jazz are attributed to turn of the 20th century New Orleans, although this unique, artistic medium occurred almost simultaneously in other North America areas like Kansas City, Saint Louis and Chicago. Traits carried from West African black folk music developed in the Americans, joined with European popular and light classical music of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, rhythms of Ragtime and minor chord voicing characteristics of the Blues Most early Jazz was played in small marching bands or by solo banjo or piano. The dynamic of Jazz improvisation arose quickly but as an ornament of melody and was not to come into its own soloing styles until circa 1925. During the years from the First to the Second World War (19141940) Europe, i.e. Paris, embraced Jazz music as its own. American musicians spread the globe as ambassadors of Jazz often in selfimposed exile from racial and social tensions at home, others in search of cultural and creative freedoms thought to exist abroad. Jazz music transformed from primarily an African-American genre into an international phenomenon. Post-war depression and the break-up of the 'Big Bands' brought a focus on the smaller ensemble sound and the emancipation of Jazz styles. Risky ventures into improvisation gave Jazz critical cache with scholars that the Blues lacked. Perhaps the most innovative, forward discoveries in style took place at this time. The 1950s Jazz scene faced new competition from other forms of entertainment. The growing popularity of television helped to introduce new popular music trends but shrinking Jazz audiences. Then Jazz music suffered an almost fatal trend upheaval first from the record industry's frenzy over Rock & Roll in the mid 1960s and followed by the Disco dance fad in the early 1970s. Many Jazz artists crossed over to more popular venues or joined the new Fusion school of Jazz. During the 1980's, the Jazz timeline continued to evolve on a somewhat lateral direction with a multitude of influences, the most significant of which was the retro surfacing of it's own roots and styles. With an emergence of innovative young players revitalizing the creative spirits and a consistent increase of Jazz "purists" from the USA, Europe and abroad, the necessary energy and passion for creativity has continued to grow.
