Before jazz, it was a rare occurrence that African American's recorded or performed music for a majority of public listeners. As Jazz progressed, they finally felt that they were on an even playing field in the music industry from there forward.
Jazz created a ripple effect across the nation that lasted for decades. It challenged views on races, genders, and social stigmas during the 1920s. This gave way for major changes in the future of the United States.
Jazz broke Racial and Social Barriers
The rebellious nature of jazz gave inspiration towards the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. The way that the African American musicians stood up to the all-white industry gave way to the standing up of all African Americans in the United States.
“To be a jazz freedom fighter is to attempt to galvanize and energize world-weary people into forms of organization with accountable leadership that promote critical exchange and broad reflection...”
- Cornel West, Race Matters
Duke Ellington working the piano
Jazz was something for the people, adopted as “Negro music.” Duke Ellington is famous for saying, “the word jazz never lost its association with the New Orleans bordellos. In the 1920s I used to try to convince Fletcher Henderson that we ought to call what we were doing ‘Negro Music’. But it’s too late for that now.” As Jazz was established nationwide it was no longer music only for Negros but instead, it brought cultures together and broke many social stigmas.
Louis Cotton Club Band - Photograph by Block Brothers Studio, ca. Missouri History Museum Photographs and Prints Collections.