Jazz – the Melodious Expression of American Freedom, Identity & Creativity

Jazz and Blues are among the most precious musical treasures that America takes pride in. Jazz is a great cultural expression of American “sense and sensibilities”. This American achievement has become the voice of the global community leaving the barriers of race and religion, the boundaries of caste and creed behind. It has made soul-stirring statements about the American freedom, identity and creativity at both home and abroad.

The origin of Jazz in New Orleans dates back to the turn of the twentieth century. North American cities like Chicago, Kansas and Saint Louis are supposed to have long been under the fascination of this musical medium that carries off the bell. Inspired by passion and pathos, this pride of America draws its resource from different walks of real life where human emotion is eloquent enough to tune the strings of minds and touch the depth of hearts.

Chicago has been a breeding ground for young imaginative and inventive Jazz players. Characterized by harmony and innovation, Jazz has got a new definition in the hands of the Chicago players endowed with a high technical ability. Significant contributions from well-known players like Bud Freeman, Benny Goodman and Eddie Condon have pioneered the music worldwide.

Swing, another heart-warming Jazz style belongs to the classical era of the 1930s when the Jazz groups mainly consisted of Big Bands. Swing is invigorating and rejuvenating. Regarded as a genre of dance music, it stands for vim and vigor. Individual musicians have improvised melodic and thematic solos from Swing. It made its comeback with retro trends in dance in the mid of 1990.

Bebop came to prominence in the early 1940s and morphed into a musical vogue by 1945. Charlie Parker, a saxophonist and Dizzy Gillespie, a trumpeter tops the list of the exponents of this Jazz style. Distinguished from Swing, Bebop established itself as an art form, a far cry from dance music. It soon became the base for all innovations of Jazz.

Classic Jazz originated as small band music in New Orleans at the onset of the 1900s. Referred to as “Dixieland” off and on, it used to be played by whites, blacks and African-American creoles. In Classic Jazz shows, musical arrangements varied from performance to performance. This lively Jazz style became richer when combined with hymns, marches and work songs.