Jazz and Social Developments - Annotated Bibliography Example

Jazz and Social Developments Annotated Bibliography Edmondson, J. (Ed Music in American Life: An Encyclopedia of the Songs, Styles, Stars, and Stories that Shaped our Culture Vol.4.” USA: ABC-CLIO, Pp. 599-608 This article focuses on the definition of jazz and its origin in the early twentieth century. The author argues that jazz was an expression of individual creativity of the musician through varying styles. Jazz draws rhythmic characters from blues and ragtime. It examines the evolution of music, various jazz singers, styles such as Hard Bop, Bee Bop, Cool Jazz, swing style, etc. Finally, the author focuses on the women involvement in music. Initially, women were side-lined or given limited opportunities to jazz involvement until after the Second World War when more women got more involved. Jazz used European instruments, songs, and harmonies, but used highly varied rhythms and peculiar sound qualities reflecting African culture. Hurley, A. W. (2010). The Return of Jazz: Joachim-Ernst Berendt and West German Cultural Change. Berghahn Books. Pp. 14-82. The author examines various forms of jazz music, and the how it influenced the European Society in 1960s. It focuses on significant developments in the music and how jazz was perceived during various periods. In 1950s critical theory of jazz was applied to reflect the culture and astounding mass entertainment. The book examines the roles of jazz in the European subcultures and legitimizes the Western German jazz with a brief history before 1945. It evaluates how people perceived swing in spiritual and political dimensions in the wake of race, ethnic and gender disparities. Introduction American culture has significantly influenced the Western culture and the entire world in a number of ways. Music is one of the approaches through which American culture has spread to the rest of the world (Hurley, 2010, p. 14). Jazz is innovative and acts as a form of individual and collective self-expression that stresses individual players working out personal voice and style and has focused on expanding language beyond the original boundaries. The jazz musicians aimed at freeing themselves from the rigidity of standard dance and other forms of commercial music that was repetitive and rigid to play (Edmondson, 2013). Jazz has undergone transformations as individuals influence each other and develop new voices and styles. This study examines the similarities of jazz developments and social changes in the post second world war and explores the differences between this jazz with jazz in the early twentieth-century. Jazz is an American music style developed at the beginning of the twentieth century in New Orleans from black cultures as a mixture of ragtime; blues and band played at funeral (Edmondson, 2013, p. 599). As it gained popularity and influence it helped in bringing the young people together and has contributed significantly to developing and sustaining artistic sculptures (Hurley, 2010). It emerged as the basis for social dance and offered an opportunity for public integration. The young people migrated to European region and established the music expressing it in their styles (Edmondson, 2013). The key developments had social impacts in Europe and the entire globe especially among the youths; racial, ethnic and gender divides. Jazz involved various characteristic from tango, blues, African and Indian music (Edmondson, 2013). After the Second World War until early 1960s the world nations underwent many transformations as they readjusted to cope with the effects of war (Edmondson, 2013). The development of class of scientists led to the massive movement of scientist workers from Western Europe to US. The young people migrated from U.S. to Europe where there was a ready audience for the music unlike in the United States where the jazz singers were viewed as deviants (Edmondson, 2013). After the war, the society resettled along new social class dictated by their wealth status. There was a change in a middle class whereby managers and experts replaced traditional land owners as leaders of middle-class society in Europe (Hurley, 2010). The emergence of middle-class society resulted in women became caretakers of their families in place of maids. Alongside social changes jazz music contributed to various social changes and a sense of identity. For example, instrumental jazz engaged many women and changed their social status (Edmondson, 2013, p. 601). That was unlike in 1930s swing style where women were less involved in the music and even when they got involved they got no recognition as musicians. After the war, most of the homeowners were impoverished by the war and could maintain their old homes. Therefore, they sold they surrendered their castles and parks to National Trusts and turned into museums, galleries and homes of the people who acquired riches during the war (Edmondson, 2013). There was an increase in old age pensions and unemployment benefits, and the introduction of national health systems and the government grants to help people raise their children (Hurley, 2010).These changes led to improvement of living standards in Europe and a decline in the percentage of income spent on food and lodgings (Edmondson, 2013). Also, the booming of an automobile industry resulted in increasing in car ownership. Similarly, developments in the music created a class of free artists who generated income from various performances that improved the social status of the community (Edmondson, 2013). The Western community developed a new lifestyle as they interacted with across racial and ethnic community. As people settled along new social classes, they tried to realign along social class. Leisure time flourishes with many European countries providing paid vacations to their workers. In addition, there was an establishment of recreational facilities that facilitated people to enjoy recreational activities (Edmondson, 2013). In early 1960s youths engaged in rebellion against the parental control as, they sought for sexual and personal freedom. Mass communication and travels resulted in intermingling of European and U.S. youths and led to spread of American culture to Europe (Edmondson, 2013). In addition, the emergence of post-war baby boom and equality among the young people with more influence in the society led to a change in youth culture. They engaged in music and dances of rebellion characterized by hair length. Most parents prohibited their children from listening to such music. Many young people started engaging in sexual activities without intention of getting married or raising children (Hurley, 2010). Career was given priority over family commitments. In the post-world war two, there was a changing trend of women as they sought for freedom. Women sought to free themselves from the culture that pressured them to get married and raise children. Similarly, the developments of jazz after led to involvement of men and women as women started pursuing careers and seek for employment in order to support themselves. For example, Frank Sinatra (lived between 1915 and 1998) expanded his career in Jazz music and contributed to the development of other peoples career in music such as Nelson Riddle, Gordon Jekins, Billy May and Dorothy Kirsten. The release of “Songs for the Swingin’ Lovers” in 1956 and “Sings for Only the Lonely” released in 1958 boosted the financial status of Nelson Riddle among others (Edmondson, 2013). Jazz has involved women musicians and has continued to exert influence in other forms of music styles (Edmondson, 2013). However, jazz brought many people together. For example, Sinatra performed his song Ol Man River to express his sympathy for the black Americans for Martin King, Jr. at Carnegie Hall in order to win equal rights for the black Americans. He supported Dr. King’s movement by playing the benefits of the movements on stage. Differences between Jazz in Twentieth Century and Jazz after Second World War In early twentieth century, the black jazz orchestras were performed at nightclubs. Later they musicians introduced live band and a booming recording industry which increased jazz’s audience and turned nightlife more fashionable (Hurley, 2010). It was later played in all venues such as dance halls, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. Black and white jazz orchestra emerged and with the advent of swing music the white jazz became more popular because the black jazz lacked mainstream connections and recorded deals with white bands. In 1920s and 1930s the black jazz musicians moved to Europe where the audience was more captivating (Edmondson, 2013). During this period, jazz music was designed for larger musical groups and swing bands employed band singers. In early twentieth century some people especially from the middle-class associated jazz with violence, drug user’s secular, low class and a moral disfigure to the black community. Jazz was viewed as an expression of black creativity, “founded on the black folklife, including black speech and sermonizing, lack styles of dress, and lack eating habits” (Edmondson, 2013, p. 603). It was considered an expression of individual ability. For example, Louis Armstrong performed various concerts without seeking partnership with other artists. However, after the Second World War Jazz, music gained prominence as it was recognized as being “much more self-conscious and art music designed for listening rather than for dancing” (Edmondson, 2013, 604). It became more complicated and innovative and has been integrated with other forms of music such as soul jazz, free jazz, and jazz-rock fusion focused on reclaiming jazz as black musical practices. Sinatra’s performances involved various styles and other artists to produce a complicated genre of Jazz that was inclusive of different partners and styles (Edmondson, 2013). It was used for entertaining the troops during and after the Second World War. Several jazz clubs were established in London where the jazz music was performed. In early twentieth century, the music was male-centred and involved small bands of five to seven players. During the early 1960s the jazz bands expanded to accommodate more players from across social and gender classes (Hurley, 2010). Unlike Sinatra who openly expressed his concerns for racial segregations in his public performances Louis Armstrong (lived between 1901 and 1971) rarely expressed his feelings about segregations in the society. In conclusion, jazz music involved improvised dancing styles based on individual creativity. Although it was initially established as an art of entertainment, it became widely accepted lifestyle after the Second World War. It united people from different backgrounds and changed the lifestyle of the Western community. Women became fully involved in music at the end of Second World War, and early 1960s as jazz became a lifestyle and a source of livelihood. Just like other social developments in Europe Jazz developments contributed to social transformations and became readily acceptable.   Bibliography Edmondson, J. (Ed.). (2013). “Music in American Life: An Encyclopaedia of the Songs, Styles, Stars, and Stories that Shaped our Culture Vol.4.” USA: ABC-CLIO, Pp. 599-608 Hurley, A. W. (2010). "The Return of Jazz: Joachim-Ernst Berendt and West German Cultural Change." Berghahn Books. Pp. 14-82. Read More