Tuesday, October 28, 2014

The History Of Jazz Music And Genres

By Dominique Martin


Millions of fans all over the globe know there is only one kind of music which takes them away and lifts them up when they are down. This song can't be any other than jazz music. It is music that fits into all occasions; in fact, it can be called a whole package when it comes to music. Whether you want to dance, on the road driving, relaxing the afternoon away or create background music for a photo album, this African-American originated song will make a perfect choice.

This African-American originated song is so good due to the several decades of work on improving it. It has been around for more than a century and does not seem like it is to be forgotten anytime in the foreseeable future. The rich culture and history of the people who started it is kept alive, though generations after generations make additions to it to make it more crispy.

Jazz is a very wide type of music with so many sub-genres within it. Each sub-genre has a distinct note from the other ones. The sub-genres are either categorized depending on the period of time they were popular or the tone and tempo. Everything in this world is dynamic and keeps on changing to stay relevant and so has this African-American originated song seen major changes from the way it was done in the past.

Jazz has stood the test of time with a history of over 100 years since it emerged. It was started by African-American people in the late 19th century with performance orientation. Since its origin in the New Orleans and other parts of America, it has grown over the years becoming one of the greatest genres of music available today.

The first genre of jazz which originated from New Orleans came to be known as New Orleans Dixieland and it was the real music during this time lasting from late 19th Century to late 20s, a span of over 35 years. It was characterized by the unique ragtime style. It was the predecessor of many genres which would come in later years.

After the New Orleans Dixieland came the Swing type that dominated the world from 1930s to late 1940s when the Second World War was over. Several huge bands rose up and gained recognition in the United States playing this kind of African-American originated song. The first major improvisation in the rhythm was included in this genre when one note was extended over a second one.

Up to the end of the war, this African-American originated song was characterized by slow tempo tone, but things changed for a faster tempo in the 1950s to 60s. The up-tempo came to be known as the Bop style. Not everyone liked the speed of the Bop so soft, cool and so the relatively easy tone form came back in the 60s named as the Cool Jazz.

From 1970s when this genre was combined with that of rock to give fusion of this African-American originated song, everything changed forever. Many subgenres in this category have emerged over this period with many jazz legends rocking the world. The pop fusion in this African-American originated song common in the 21st century is transforming it.




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