Determining the relative importance of
Chicago and New York as facilitating locations of jazz production is
difficult for two reasons; first, many talented musicians came out of
each location, in some cases the same musician produced music in both
Chicago and New York at different times. Second, the music produced
in one location influenced and in turn, was influenced by the music
produced in the other. Undoubtedly, the mutual influence of these
different forms of music coupled with the varying preferences of
their respective audiences are the key elements in the formation of a
modern day conception of jazz music. That being said, the
developments underwent by the genre in Chicago during the 1920's,
thanks in large part to the work of musical figures like Bix
Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines constitute a new brand of
jazz, one involving faster tempos and greater influence on solos.
Appealing to a wider audience, it was these types of changes that
strengthened jazz as an art form and ultimately allowed for its
appreciation on a much larger scale.
Undoubtedly, a contributing factor to
the establishment of Chicago as a home for jazz music was the Great
Migration, in which “some half-million African Americans left the
South for more tolerant communities in the North” (Gioia 45). Among
them, the future major players in the Chicago jazz scene, indeed
“only those that departed [the south] made major reputations”
(Gioia 45). Those making the move however, were not all African
American; in fact, musicians of all races and styles converged on the
city to take advantage of the economic and expressive opportunities
the city presented (Gioia 76). As a result of this demographic
influx, Chicago became a hallmark of diversity. This, in combination
with the adoption of gigs on a more contractual basis, contributed to
Chicago's recognition as an important jazz center (Travis 48). As
many of Chicago's nightclubs came under the control of criminal
organizations, black jazz artists received recognition from a larger
segment of society as they took the stage in front of white audiences
(Travis). In summation, each of these factors in cohesion allowed
jazz to thrive in Chicago during the 1920's.
Although some may argue that jazz in
Chicago was simply a reformulation of earlier New Orleans' styles,
the developments made by musicians such as the Austin High Gang,
Eddie Condon, Bix Beiderbecke, and Louis Armstrong provide
justification for Chicago jazz not only as a unique musical style,
but as “a way of life” (Gioia 74). Widely referred to as 'hot
jazz,' the music produced here during this time caught many people
off guard. The fast-paced syncopation and upbeat rhythm of early
Chicago jazz contained within it a certain “restless energy”
(Gioia 75). It was this “juxtaposition of rhythmic notions” that
promoted a sort of “agitated feeling” within the mind of the
listener” (Chicagoans 161). During this time, thirty-two-bar forms
became the prefered medium of performance while elements of blues and
ragtime largely fell by the wayside. (Gioia 77). As jazz gained
recognition from different segments of society, the mass market began
to take hold of jazz music contributing to the genre's place in
popular culture.
Of the dozens of incredibly talented
musicians present at the time, none exemplifies the adaptive nature
of Chicago jazz music better than Louis Armstrong. Aside from his
renowned capacities for improvisation, Louis Armstrong possessed the
ability to adapt to the preferences of different audiences. This
ability comes to light in Armstrong's level of comfort “working
within the narrower confines of popular music” (Gioia 66). It was
in the bustling environment of Chicago that Louis Armstrong composed
the Hot Fives and Hot Sevens, perhaps the most beloved and
inspirational body of work ever produced under the heading of jazz
(Gioia 60).
This is very well written and thought out. I particularly enjoyed the opening paragraph, which compared Chicago and New York and brought up that both cities undoubtedly had a major influence on the progression of jazz. That being said, the great migration also affected New York as well. During that migration, Harlem was transformed from a middle class white neighborhood to a black slum. This also cause an intermixing of cultures that you mention happened in Chicago. You do make a very compelling argument for why Chicago jazz is a new style, both the music itself and the mode of production are unique and distinct from any jazz seen before that.
ReplyDeleteThe way that you go into the interplay between Chicago and New York both with music and musicians is a provocative idea that you articulate well. Having taken the opposing position of New York, I think you brought up some interesting points as to the credence of Chicago's own importance and influence showing jazz as a way of life rather than simple music.
ReplyDeleteGreat intro. It made it clear that you're aware that Chicago was not the only significant influence on jazz during the 1920's. That being said, you argued that Chicago became a hallmark of diversity after the Great Migration, which undoubtedly is true, but it would have been nice to know more specifically how this induced diversity contributed to the development of Chicago's 'hot' jazz.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed an absolutely agree with your description of the jazz style in Chicago. Specifically the sentence, "The fast-paced syncopation and upbeat rhythm of early Chicago jazz contained within it a certain “restless energy” (Gioia 75),"
ReplyDeletepaints a vivid picture in my head of the style of jazz in Chicago. That being said, I think you could benefit with a little more explanation about why exactly Chicago was superior to New York in its 1920's influence. Didn't the great migration extend to New York just as well as Chicago? Are the specific artists truly the reason that Chicago flourished, or was there another driving factor?
This is a great blog! The claims you make are very well evidenced, and the progression of your thought process is clear and easy to follow. I like how you mentioned the increased diversity of Chicago not only in blacks but in other ethnic groups as well. I will say however that you did not provide much counter-argument to your topic, for example you have Louis Armstrong as your premier Chicagoan, however he did make a considerable impact on the New York scene as well.
ReplyDeleteVery well written and thought out. I agree with previous comments in that your intro paragraph showed that you are aware of the influences of jazz did not just stem from one area. I thoroughly appreciate that you did not use only one source, therefore allowing for multiple perspectives to be heard in your argument.
ReplyDelete