New Orleans: The
Cultural Breeding Ground of Jazz Music
New Orleans in the nineteenth and twentieth century was one
of the most vibrant and developed cities in the South. The incredible degree of
syncretism allowed for vast cultural diversity and the birth of many hybrid art
forms, one of which is Jazz. During the colonial ages Louisiana had been under
Spanish and French rule before it was acquired by the United States during the
Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The comingling of different cultures which was
especially prominent in New Orleans formed the fertile environment for the
creation of Jazz. The New Orleans native culture showed an unmatched
fascination for celebration, festivals, parades and musical as well as performances
of the arts in general. The extraordinary
passion for music together with the city’s enthusiastic relationship with music
provided cultural tolerance towards hybrid art forms (Gioia 5).
Other reasons for why Jazz developed
in New Orleans rather than other large North American cities, it its geographical
location which created immense cultural diversity. New Orleans is located on
the Mississippi constituted one of the major hubs for trade and migration. The
trade networks extended to the Caribbean, South America and all the way to Africa
creating a melting pot of cultures and goods that passed through the city. This
geographically advantageous location created a flourishing economy as well as a
prosperous, cosmopolitan environment that few cities sin the new world could
match” (Gioia 27). Furthermore the presence of a significant Latin-catholic
culture in New Orleans during the nineteenth century, which had experienced
discrimination and oppression but had established its position within society,
was more tolerant and accepting to influences of African culture and art forms
created by cultural hybridization (Gioia 6). This is underlined in “The
history of Jazz” in which the author Ted Gioia states that “music of all types permeated
New Orleans social life; whether high or low, imported or indigenous, it found
a receptive audience in this cosmopolitan city” (Gioia 32).
Additionally, New Orleans offered a rich cultural mixture
due several legislative measures which affected the way in which local
minorities could express their indigenous cultures. This created a poly-ethnic
melting pot of art and culture. The Black community in New Orleans was granted
more freedom compared to those in many other cities in the South, which increased
their confidence in expressing their own music forms. The jurisdiction in New Orleans
provided laws that were more lenient regarding how slaves could achieve freedom.
The fact that slaves were able to purchase their freedom based on an adjudicated
contract created a greater population of “free” Afro-American people and
strengthened the influence of African culture on forming New Orleans very own
local music forms such as Jazz (Gioia 6). This tolerance toward African culture
is further exemplified by the decision of the New Orleans city council in 1817
to establish an official site for slaves to perform their music and dances, while
many other cities were working towards passing laws to ban any form of African
music.
Lastly Creole population played a significant role in the
evolution of Jazz in New Orleans. Originally creole was a term implemented by individuals
of French or Spanish decent who were born in the Americas, indicating their distinguished descent as the first
settlers of the new world, thereby giving them a more prestigious societal standing.
Eventually it evolved into a term referring to the descendants of interracial
relationships between Blacks and Whites. This population enjoyed increased
freedom and rights over the Black population and distinguished themselves from
the black community by acquiring certain norms and behaviors which were
prominent in the White culture in New Orleans. When however, in 1894, the Louisiana legislative
code No.111 passed the creole population was classified as equals of the Black
underclass. This created an additional and almost forced blending of white and
black culture thereby facilitating the cultural transcendence of music and
creating a fertile environment for the development jazz music (Stewart).
When investigating the origin of Jazz the main cultural
source that comes to mind is the Afro American influence. African elements such
rhythm, musical plurality, improvisation as well as the blending of artist and
audience are prominent features of Jazz. In addition the Creole influence
helped shape jazz the way we know this musical genre today. Many creole
musicians had acquired classical musical training emphasizing a more structured
and less improvisational approach. After the Louisiana legislative code No.111
passed this population of “polished creole ensembles” who had
previously experienced extended rights and freedom now found themselves “forced
to fight for work and assimilate with black bands” (Gioia 32). This blend of improvisational
and rhythmic African tendencies coupled with structured musical education is
what shaped New Orleans Jazz the way we know it today. What is often neglected
is the influence of Mexican culture on early Jazz in New Orleans. In 1884 the Mexican
government sent a military band to play at Cotton Exhibition in New Orleans. Many
artists decided to stay and joined local bands or ensembles creating direct
influence of Mexican musical culture on the New Orleans music scene. These Mexican
musicians served as mentors to many Jazz legends such as Jerry Roll Morton (Johnson
226). Furthermore indirect influence of Mexican culture on the development of
Jazz was provided by the introduction of certain instruments such as the
woodwind instruments.
The interesting question that arises when investigating the
origin of Jazz in New Orleans is which ethnicity or culture deserves credit for
inventing this music genre. In my opinion no single culture deserves credit
because Jazz would not be what it is today if it was not for the hybridization
and integration of cultures in the poly-ethnic and multiracial environment
provided by New Orleans. I agree that the Afro American influence played the
predominant role in the evolution of Jazz. However, no matter how minute the
influence of a specific culture is; if it was present and influential in the
music scene in New Orleans when Jazz evolved it should be acknowledged and credited
for its contribution. What makes New Orleans Jazz so unique is multicultural
origin.
Word Count: 1050
References:
“Jazz”, Scott Deveaux, Gary Giddins. W.W. Norton and
Company, First Edition. 2009
“The History of Jazz”, Ted Gioia. Oxford University Press.
Second Edition. 2011
“Sobre Las Olas’: A Mexican Genesis in Borderlands Jazz and
the Legacy for Ethnic Studies”, Gaye Theresa Johnson, Comparative American Studies,
Vol. 6 No. 3, September 2008, 225–240