New Orleans Jazz

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When I hear the word – Jazz, New Orleans often comes to mind. Indeed, Jazz is very important to New Orleans for it is considered the birthplace of this genre.

“Jazz grew up in a lot of places, but it was born in New Orleans”

For the roots of jazz began sprouting in the early 1800s in an area of New Orleans called Congo Square. This was the area where slaves flocked on Sundays for large drum-and-dance convocations. Today, this area is known as Louis Armstrong Park.

In fact, New Orleans jazz is a style of music. Jazz was originally music for dancing, not listening, even though that is what modern jazz became in the 1950s and beyond. Additionally, the Congo Square dances occurred side-by-side with European operas and fancy balls. This is the where French and Spanish Creoles danced and celebrated Carnival. Definitely, each ethnic group in New Orleans contributed to the very active musical environment in the city, and in this way to the development of early jazz.

New Orleans jazz has a swinging, stomping, syncopated beat that makes you want to dance!

Today, New Orleans jazz is also played by brass bands–the kind we hear in our Mardi Gras street parades. In fact, they rely on wind instruments and separate bass and snare drums, all of which can be carried on foot. Even, the Louisiana State Museum at the Old U.S. Mint defines jazz as: “New Orleans jazz is a performance art based on the musical elements of syncopation, improvisation, blues scale, call-and-response, rhythm, tone color, harmony and interpretation.”

Louis Armstrong and Jazz

I can’t write about  Jazz, without mentioning Louis Armstrong. For Louis Armstrong was born in a poor section of New Orleans known as “the Battlefield” on August 4, 1901. By the time of his death in 1971, the man known around the world as Satchmo, was widely recognized as a founding father of jazz. 

Armstrong’s music had such an important effect on jazz history that many scholars, critics, and fans call him the first great jazz soloist. Indeed, his influence extended far beyond jazz. For the energetic, swinging rhythmic momentum of his playing was a major influence on soloists in every genre of American popular music.

“Every time I close my eyes blowing that trumpet of mine, I look right into the heart of good old New Orleans. It has given me something to live for.” — Louis Armstrong

Additionally, the early development of jazz in New Orleans is most associated with the popularity of bandleader Charles “Buddy” Bolden, an “uptown” cornetist whose charisma and musical power became legendary. After playing briefly with Charley Galloway’s string band in 1894, Bolden formed his own group in 1895.

“The true heart and soul of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, as with New Orleans itself, is music. It’s the force that drives and defines us. It’s not just for entertainment, but it feeds our soul.” —QUINT DAVIS

A vibrant abstract 

This painting title “New Orleans Jazz” is all about the soulful red background highlighted with vibrant blues that seem to dance across the canvas. Can’t you just see the painting evolve with strokes filled with movement while listening to the rhythmic, expressive jazz sound.

“I’m not sure, but I’m almost positive, that all music came from New Orleans.” — Ernie K. Doe

Dare to Feel,

Red

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