Preliminary Stage - Research Paper Example

This had even led many Americans to go through financial bedlam and disarray2. Meanwhile, in Chicago, while the stock market headed off a declining path, the World’s Columbian Exposition emerged wherein it highlighted the advancing technology and culture of the city. Amidst the economic turmoil experienced, Americans gaped at the new innovations brought about by the economic transition of the United States. Celebration for the accomplishments of the corporate America was emphasized. Nevertheless, it was in this phase of the United States economic history that a new style of music emerged that would enable Americans to identify themselves in an evolving modern nation.

The economic crisis of 1893 and the World’s Columbian Exposition, and their enigmatic description had a monumental effect on the American culture: a time when America adopted ragtime music3; thus, the birth of Jazz. The Early Years of Jazz Ragtime music rose to rapid fame from 1897 to 1917, and this triggered modern technological modifications with businesses eyed close relation to Jazz as a national music4. The peaking popularity of the ragtime music likewise stimulated the economy with many piano manufactures increasing their production to accommodate the fast growing need for the instrument.

During the 20th century, particularly in the second decade, piano production was at its summit producing more than 400,000 pianos annually. Vaudeville and Minstrel shows also proliferated following the growing number of amateur musicians who started to adopt and learn the art of Jazz music. These shows became prevalent in the United States and offered complete entertainment for many Americans. The Minstrel shows were usually held in salons – a relatively smaller venue as compared to theatres.

Vaudevilles were staged in theatres, a development that attracted women and children to watch Jazz musical presentations. This had led to the growing audiences of Vaudeville shows that featured Jazz music. Then, Jazz music spread across the United States, particularly in three of its largest cities: New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. This turned out to be the focal point of the changing American Culture in the 1920s. During the height of ragtime music in which African Americans were leading, the issue on racial discrimination still contaminated the new music industry.

Nevertheless, offensive description and racism of African Americans were reduced in order to attract more audience5. The ever increasing fascination to ragtime music paved the way to the dispersal and proliferation of the music through phonographs and radios. This allowed a larger proportion of the American population to get acquainted and spellbound by Jazz. Due to the growing demand, more and more musicians were hired to create and perform ragtime music. And despite the toning down of crude representation of African American musicians, stereotypes against them still survived.

Nevertheless, Vaudeville offered the Black actors and musicians the chance for employment6. The Greats of Jazz and the New Niger There is no question about the popularity of Jazz during the early 20’s with African Americans acted as pioneers of the musical genre. It was during this period when the Harlem Club was established, debuting the giants of Jazz music: Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. But apart from the two pioneers, when it comes to