Jazz itself originated in New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. New Orleans was the perfect place for the birth of jazz because it was a port city. Many different people and cultures gathered in this town square to make music. A magical blend of musical style, rhythms, and sounds were combined to create Jazz. It mainly evolved from blues and ragtime. It also has roots in slave songs and spirituals. It became a truly American art form. Jazz in the 1920s was a large form of expression for the African American population. It allowed musicians the freedom to bend and blend notes, beat, and rhythm in a way that other forms of music restricted. In a segregated America Jazz was often used to put the artists frustrations into music. This form of entertainment also led to integration. Talented musicians were able to unite despite their race and demonstrate that integration led to a beautiful blend of sounds. Because of this level of freedom Jazz became a tool during the Cold War designed to entertain and engage third world nations enticing them to join the Americans in Capitalism.
Is an image of a marching band playing jazz music through the town. N.D anonymous
Jazz Ambassdors
The Jazz Ambassadors were a group of Jazz musicians including Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington. The purpose of the Jazz Ambassadors was to counter the racial tension felt by these third world nations. The Jazz Ambassadors helped improve the public image of the United States in light of the criticism from the Soviet Union around racial inequality. Communist Propaganda like this painted America in a negative light. These images show an America where the wealthy few were taking advantage of the poor masses. We also noticed a recurring theme of how people of color are seen abused by the government or the wealthy. These primary sources were or could have been used to persuade these third world nations to abandon capitalism and embrace communism. During the Cold war, the United States sent The Jazz Ambassadors on a tour to Iran, Pakistan, Lebanon, Turkey, Yugoslavia, and Greece. These countries were strategically targeted because they were vulnerable to communism. This tour allowed the United States to gain allies. Through the tour America was able to show that they did not mistreat people of color.
Louis Armstrong
This is an image of Louis Armstrong laughing on the "May Show a Teenage Louis Armstrong". N.D anonymous
The music is the chorus of the song "Black and Blue" by Louis Armstronge represents the mistreted African Americans at home. N.D anonymous
Dizzy Gillespie
A pitcture of Dizzy Gillespie playing his trumpet at one of his performance. N.D anonymous
The song "Manteca" is an instrumental which proves that COMMUNICATION does not always come from words but, from the heart. N.D anonymous
Benny Goodman
Is an image of Benny Goodman wearing a suit and holding his clarinet. N.D anonymous
Jazz relies heavily on experimenting with music which could be found in the song "Sing,Sing,Sing" by Benny Goodman. N.D anonymous
Duke Ellington
Is a photograph of Duck Ellington staring at the camera while playing the piano. N.D anonymous
Songs like "It Don't Mean a Thing" were very engaging which their audiences. These futher popularizes jazz in these Asian and African countries. N.d anonymous
