The Roaring Twenties: The Age of Jazz

J.T. Morgan, Nick Kelly, Colton Russell, and Wade Johnston

Harlem Renaissance The Harlem Renaissance was the name given to the cultural,

social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem between the end of World War I and the middle of the 1930s. During this period Harlem was a cultural center, drawing black writers, artists, musicians, photographers, poets, and scholars.

A Little Brief Introduction For You Ragamuffins Jazz music spread from New Orleans with the Great

Migration of African Americans in search of improved economic opportunities during World War I.

It was pioneered by Handy "Jelly Roll" Morton and Joseph "Joe" King Oliver, both blacks, but all-white bands, such as the one led by Paul Whiteman, soon followed.

 Jazz captured the spirit of the time, and even today it is considered classical American music.

Intro Cont. The blossoming African American communities in the north

witnessed a new sense of racial pride In New York City, with about 100,000 African American

residents during the 1920s, Harlem became one of the largest black communities in the world.

A new spirit of artistic, cultural, and social creativity soon flourished.

Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong was born on August 4, 1901, in New

Orleans, Louisiana, the birthplace of jazz. He is considered the most important improviser in jazz, and

he taught the world to swing. Armstrong, fondly known as "Satchmo" or "Pops," had a

sense of humor, natural and unassuming manner, and positive disposition that made everyone around him feel good.

With his infectious, wide grin and instantly recognizable gravelly voice, he won the hearts of people everywhere.

Louis Armstrong Cont. He had an exciting and innovative style of playing that

musicians imitate to this day. Throughout his career, Armstrong spread the language of

jazz around the world, serving as an international ambassador of swing.

His profound impact on the music of the 20th century continues into the 21st century.

Duke Ellington One of the most influential jazz artists of the ‘20s His Charisma and innovations to the music are what lead the

way into turning Jazz music into an artistic movement of the 1920s

He received many awards such as 13 Grammy’s, a Pulitzer prize, and a presidential medal of freedom.

The inspiring music of “The Duke” paved the way for future young jazz musicians making Duke one of the most important figures of the Jazz Age

King Oliver King Oliver is said to have begun music as a trombonist, and

from about 1907 he played in brass bands, dance bands, and in various small groups in New Orleans bars and cabarets.

 In 1920 he began to lead his own band and after taking it to California in 1921, he returned to Chicago and, with some of the same musicians. This group was joined a month later by the 22-year-old Louis Armstrong as second cornetist.

 He was the mentor and teacher of Louis Armstrong Oliver was inducted as a charter member of the Gennett

Records Walk of Fame in Richmond, Indiana in 2007.

Charlie Parker Charlie Parker, known as “Bird”, is one of the leading pioneers

of the art of jazz music He was a fast, smooth saxophone player with amazing

improvisational skills making him one of the greatest of the generation

He is credited with creating many complex cord progressions making him one of the most well known composers of the time

He was a supporter of the idea that African Americans were intellectual people of value and used his music to preach that

Many artists use sections of his music in their

songs even today

Miles Davis He spearheaded the emergence of be-bop, hard bop, cool

jazz, free jazz, fusion, funk and techno music.  Being one of the central figures in jazz at the time he was at

the forefront of multiple musical developments and the emergence of a plenitude of styles.

He received various rewards in his lifetime, including eight Grammy Awards and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

Hear The Sounds of the 20s https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=55&v=kmfeKUNDDYs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRGFqSkNjHk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjElQ6Ekr9o