Origination of Jazz in New Orleans

Unique historical influences led to the emergence of jazz music in New Orleans. The city was founded in 1817 by the French at a strategic geographical location to allow its economic prosperity. Located at the mouth of the Mississippi River, New Orleans attracted people from a variety of places to obtain a share of its commercial success. This economic engine of power is responsible for the population’s diversity which in turn, led to a more open-minded and tolerant society, allowing a higher degree of freedom for musical expression and innovation. For example, French Catholicism had a considerable influence on the upbringing of jazz. The Catholic views on slavery were much more lenient in comparison to English rule. Slaves had the right to marry, own property, and buy their own freedom. Unlike in other American cities, slaves were allowed to express themselves in weekly musical gatherings known as Congo Squares. After the Civil War, slavery was abolished and greatly expanded this freedom, the time when ragtime and blues music was forming. Towards the beginning of the 20th century, New Orleans had become an established melting pot that allowed a blurring of these musical genres which was essential for the creation of jazz music (Gioia 33). As stated by Gioia, jazz may have never been developed without the incredible passion of brass bands in New Orleans. Jazz was not just played in New Orleans. However, what sets this city apart from others is the fact that brass bands were playing for almost every type of social event and their music permeated New Orleans social life on all levels (Gioia 32-33). Another role in the development of Jazz was black Creole culture, a prime example of fusing European and African societies. Although Creoles of color refused to associate themselves with Black society, they were soon force to by the Louisiana Legislative Code in 1894. Creoles of color were skilled at European classics and reading music. However, due to new legislation later known to be the Jim Crow laws, Creoles of Color were stripped from there intermediate social position. If they decided to continue to compose music to make a living, they were forced to compete against less educated and boisterous black bands within their new social environment. People were blatantly denied equality in a legally “free” country where “all men are created equal.” This unjust counterrevolution is largely responsible for several American mindsets of double consciousness (devised by W.E.B Du Bois). After this legislation, Creoles especially had a difficult time associating themselves with either American, African, or European culture. It created self-identity conflicts and anxiety but also innovation and improvisation. This has a strong tie to one of the fundamental aspects of jazz, its ability to express emotions in more the one interpretation and improvise to survive according to one’s environment. It is also important to note some of the first initial players of jazz music and their influences. Gioia discusses Buddy Bolden, the “elusive father of jazz.” His musical talent and personality led him to be one of the most renowned players of that time. However, there are currently no known recordings of his music which makes it difficult to attribute him to be the founder of jazz. Jelly Roll Morton on the other hand, was the first person to proclaim himself as the first jazz musician. It is also a stretch to state that Morton is an original source of jazz music. From Gioia’s text, it is evident that he was a prominent figure in the development of jazz, but may not be the true founder due to the fact that he started playing his music roughly ten years after Buddy Bolden. Even more influential was the formation of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, an ensemble of white musicians. This band was the first to make jazz commercialized by northern record companies. Some may evaluate their commercial success to substantiate the claim that this band started jazz but it is also important to notice that they also had a prevalent influence. The Original Dixieland Jazz Band not only spread jazz music to the North (Chicago and New York) but also internationally (to England and France.) Although this band was a prominent figure in New Orleans jazz history, the mere fact that New Orleans was located at the mouth of the Mississippi River may be the single most important reason why Jazz emerged there instead of other American cities.