Jazz music evokes intense emotions, skilled instrumentalists, and inspired singers. Jazz has been around for hundreds of years, with its musical origins in the United States dating back to the time of slavery. Although some may think that jazz music all sounds alike, these people might be surprised to know that there are, in fact, many different types of jazz music.
The Most Influential Places for Types of Jazz Music
New types of jazz music are always developing, having gotten their musical roots from various locations. New Orleans, Louisiana, is considered by many to be the cultural hub of all American types of jazz music. From the late 19th century and beyond, New Orleans had the most abundant population of free African Americans. As such, these people traveled to places like Europe, bringing back instruments to use in their folk music. This folk music eventually changed into being what is today known as jazz.
When one thinks of jazz, one automatically equates it with the blues. New Orleans was also an important center for the development of the blues (along with other types of jazz music) through the use of brass trumpets and the blues harp (which is another name for the harmonica). Many consider musician Buddy Bolden to be the true pioneer of the blues style, for it was he that implemented traditional African American folk songs into this new style of music with his use of the brass trumpet and the harmonica.
North of New Orleans, another musical influence was taking hold in New York: ragtime. Ragtime was at its most popular peak in the early 20th century. It was most often played on a piano, with the occasional brass accompaniment, and was the favorite of people frequenting piano bars. Its sometimes dissonant pitches and irregular dance beats in turn were influenced by the New Orleans style, and went on to influence modern types of jazz music.
Whether rooted in the South or in the North, one cannot deny that jazz music has universal elements. It is the music of sorrow, happiness, and passion. Its sultry tunes and fast-paced melodies provide enough variation for jazz enthusiasts to barely keep up with all of the new material. Indeed, the elements of jazz music can never be labeled as being in the least boring. Jazz music is an essential part of both American history and its modern culture, and its inspirational musical style is here to stay.
