Timeline of Jazz Music Development (1880s-1960s)
Embark on a journey through the rich history of jazz, from its roots in the late 19th century to its evolution in the mid-20th century. Discover the key periods, influential artists, and musical innovations that shaped this iconic American art form.
1880s-1910s Jazz Origins
1
c. 1885: Birth of Buddy Bolden
Buddy Bolden, a key figure in the development of early jazz, is born in New Orleans.
2
1890s: Emergence of Ragtime
Ragtime, a precursor to jazz, emerges in the United States.
3
c. 1899: Birth of Clarence "Little Dad" Vincent
Clarence "Little Dad" Vincent, a New Orleans guitarist who later played with early jazz pioneers, is born in Baton Rouge.
4
1900s-1910s: Early Jazz Development
This period marks the beginning of early jazz development, building on the foundations laid by ragtime and influential musicians like Buddy Bolden and Clarence Vincent.
1880s-1910s Jazz Origins
1
1902: Jelly Roll Morton
First great jazz composer born
2
1904-1909: "I'm Alabama Bound"
Street song to early blues
3
1906: Donaldsonville
Strong band tradition forms
4
1910s: "Jazz" term appears
Origins and spelling debated
The early 1900s marked a pivotal period in the development of jazz music. In 1902, Jelly Roll Morton, the first great jazz composer, is born in New Orleans. He later becomes a key figure in spreading jazz beyond New Orleans, setting the stage for the genre's expansion.
Between 1904 and 1909, we see a significant transition in music styles. The song "I'm Alabama Bound" evolves from a general street song to an early blues song, showcasing the evolution of the genre. This transformation highlights the fluid nature of early jazz and its roots in various musical traditions.
In 1906, William Donaldson establishes Donaldsonville, which later develops a strong band tradition important in early jazz. This event underscores the importance of community and local traditions in nurturing the jazz scene. Around 1908, John Joseph, a string bassist from Donaldsonville, starts playing, representing the early jazz scene outside New Orleans and further illustrating the spread of the genre.
As we move into the 1910s, a significant linguistic development occurs. The term "jazz" begins to appear, though its exact origins and initial spelling ("jass") are debated. This marks the beginning of jazz's recognition as a distinct musical form, setting the stage for its explosion in popularity in the coming decades.
1920s-1930s Jazz Evolution
1
1920s: The "Jazz Age"
The "Jazz Age" takes hold, with jazz becoming a popular form of music across the United States.
2
1920s-1930s: Stride Piano
Stride piano, a style employed by jazz greats like James P. Johnson and later Thelonious Monk, becomes popular.
3
1930s: Swing Music
Swing music, a form of jazz characterized by its big band arrangements and danceable rhythms, rises to prominence.
4
1930s: Louis Armstrong's Innovations
Louis Armstrong uses early recording techniques to create innovative vocal recordings, layering his voice for effect.
5
1931: "All of Me"
Louis Armstrong records "All of Me," showcasing his unique vocal phrasing and improvisation.
1940s-1950s Jazz Innovations
1
Bebop Revolution
Complex, improvisational jazz
2
New York City Hub
Epicenter of jazz innovation
3
Influential Figures
Parker, Gillespie, Davis
The 1940s marked a significant turning point in the evolution of jazz music, with the emergence of bebop as a more complex and improvisational form. This revolutionary style developed in the vibrant musical scene of New York City, spearheaded by innovative musicians who would become legends in the jazz world.
Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were at the forefront of this bebop movement, pushing the boundaries of jazz improvisation and harmonic complexity. Their virtuosic performances and compositions laid the groundwork for a new era in jazz history.
During this same period, a young Miles Davis arrived in New York City, embarking on a journey that would shape the future of jazz. His decision to study at Juilliard while immersing himself in the thriving bebop scene set the stage for his later contributions to various jazz subgenres.
As the 1940s transitioned into the 1950s, the innovations of bebop continued to influence and inspire new directions in jazz music, setting the stage for further experimentation and evolution in the decades to come.
Key Jazz Figures
1
Miles Davis: Cool Jazz Pioneer
1950s: Miles Davis begins to experiment with a more mellow, introspective style of jazz that would later be known as "cool jazz." 1959: Miles Davis releases "Kind of Blue," a groundbreaking exploration of modal jazz that becomes the best-selling jazz album of all time.
2
Louis Armstrong: Vocal Innovator
1954: Louis Armstrong records "Atlanta Blues," showcasing his continued vocal innovation with improvised countermelodies. 1955: Louis Armstrong records "I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling," using multi-track recording to create complex vocal arrangements and harmonies.
3
John Coltrane: Spiritual Jazz Master
1957: John Coltrane experiences a spiritual awakening that deeply influences his music, culminating in his 1965 masterpiece "A Love Supreme."
4
Dave Brubeck: Mainstream Success
1959: Dave Brubeck releases "Time Out," featuring the iconic 5/4 time signature track "Take Five," achieving mainstream success.
5
Charles Mingus: Eclectic Innovator
1959: Charles Mingus releases "Mingus Ah Um," a powerful and eclectic album that draws on gospel, blues, and other influences.
6
Ornette Coleman: Free Jazz Pioneer
1959: Ornette Coleman releases "The Shape of Jazz to Come," a controversial album that challenges traditional jazz conventions and paves the way for free jazz.
1959: A pivotal year in jazz, marked by the release of several landmark albums that push the boundaries of the genre.
1960s:
1960s Jazz Transformations
The 1960s marked a significant shift in the jazz landscape, characterized by bold experimentation and spiritual exploration. This decade saw the rise of free jazz and the creation of iconic works that pushed the boundaries of the genre.
1
1960s: Free Jazz Emerges
Free jazz, a form of jazz characterized by its rejection of traditional harmonic and rhythmic structures, gains momentum.
2
1965: John Coltrane's Spiritual Masterpiece
John Coltrane records "A Love Supreme," a four-part suite that expresses his spiritual devotion and pushes the boundaries of improvisation.
3
Impact on Jazz Evolution
These developments in the 1960s set the stage for further experimentation and diversification in jazz music in the following decades.
The 1960s were a transformative period for jazz, with musicians like John Coltrane leading the way in exploring new frontiers of sound and spirituality. The emergence of free jazz and groundbreaking albums like "A Love Supreme" demonstrated the genre's capacity for innovation and deep personal expression.
Key Jazz Figures
Louis Armstrong
A trumpeter, singer, and bandleader who was one of the most influential figures in jazz history. Known for his virtuosic trumpet playing, distinctive gravelly voice, and charismatic stage presence, Armstrong popularized scat singing and helped to bring jazz to a wider audience.
Charlie Parker
An alto saxophonist and composer who was a key figure in the development of bebop. Known for his blistering speed and complex improvisations, Parker revolutionized jazz harmony and rhythm, influencing countless musicians who followed.
Thelonious Monk
A pianist and composer known for his unique and idiosyncratic style. Monk's unconventional harmonies and angular melodies made him a unique voice in jazz, and his compositions, such as "Round Midnight" and "'Round About Midnight," have become standards.
Charles Mingus
A bassist, composer, and bandleader who was a major figure in hard bop and avant-garde jazz. Known for his complex compositions, powerful playing, and volatile personality, Mingus was a fiercely original artist who blended diverse musical influences.
Early Pioneers
Buddy Bolden (c. 1885-1931): A cornetist from New Orleans, considered one of the pioneers of early jazz. His powerful sound and improvisational skills influenced many later musicians, but no recordings of his playing exist.
Jelly Roll Morton (1902-1941): A pianist, composer, and bandleader who was crucial in the development of early jazz. Known for his flamboyant personality and his claim to have invented jazz, Morton was a skilled musician and prolific songwriter who composed classics like "King Porter Stomp" and "Wolverine Blues."
Bebop Innovators
Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993): A trumpeter, bandleader, and composer who was another leading figure in bebop. Known for his technical brilliance, innovative harmonic ideas, and infectious enthusiasm, Gillespie helped to spread bebop around the world.
Miles Davis (1926-1991): A trumpeter, bandleader, and composer who was one of the most innovative and influential figures in jazz history. Davis led the development of several subgenres, including cool jazz, modal jazz, and jazz fusion, constantly pushing the boundaries of the genre.
Avant-Garde Explorers
John Coltrane (1926-1967): A tenor saxophonist and composer who was known for his spiritual and intensely emotional approach to jazz. Coltrane's innovative playing and his explorations of harmony and rhythm had a profound impact on jazz and continue to inspire musicians today.
Ornette Coleman (1930-2015): An alto saxophonist, violinist, composer, and bandleader who revolutionized jazz with his "free jazz" concept. Coleman's music, which rejected traditional chord changes and form, was initially controversial but has come to be recognized as a major contribution to the development of jazz.
Other notable figures include Dave Brubeck (1920-2012), a pianist and composer who was a leading figure in cool jazz and achieved mainstream success with his innovative rhythmic experiments. His "Take Five," in 5/4 time, remains a jazz classic. Additionally, early jazz musicians like Clarence "Little Dad" Vincent, John Joseph, "Ragtime" Thomas, and Richard "Rabbit" Brown played crucial roles in shaping the genre's foundations and bridging different musical styles.
Jazz from 1970s to Present
Continuous Evolution
From the 1970s to the present, jazz has continued to evolve, demonstrating its adaptability and resilience as a musical genre.
Genre Blending
Jazz has shown a remarkable ability to blend with other genres, creating new and exciting musical fusions that push the boundaries of traditional jazz.
Technological Integration
The incorporation of new technologies has played a significant role in shaping modern jazz, allowing for innovative sounds and production techniques.
Key Developments
This era has seen several key developments that have contributed to the ongoing transformation and expansion of jazz as a musical form.
Jazz Genre Shifts
Jazz Fusion
Jazz fusion, emerging in the late 1960s and peaking in the 1970s, combined jazz improvisation with rock music's rhythms, electric instruments, and amplified stage sound. The emergence of jazz fusion marked a significant shift for jazz, blurring the lines between previously distinct genres.
Key figures included:
- Miles Davis (known for his album On the Corner in 1972)
- Herbie Hancock (experimented with technology, rock, and funk styles)
Hancock achieved success with the funk-based jazz fusion track "Chameleon" in 1973. Some rock artists, like Jeff Beck, even shifted towards fusion in the early 1970s.
Jazz-Funk
Emerging in the mid-1970s, jazz-funk is characterized by:
- Strong backbeat
- Electrified sounds
- Frequent use of electronic analog synthesizers
Jazz-funk drew influences from traditional African music, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and Jamaican reggae. Miles Davis's album On the Corner, released in 1972, exemplifies his foray into jazz-funk, featuring instruments like the Indian tambora and tablas alongside Cuban congas and bongos.
Jazz-funk emphasized composition over improvisation and introduced new instrumental textures to jazz music.
Jazz Genre Shifts
Smooth Jazz
In the early 1980s, a commercialized form of jazz fusion called "smooth jazz" gained popularity. It featured downtempo tracks and focused on melody-playing instruments like the saxophone and electric guitar. Smooth jazz helped establish the careers of artists like Al Jarreau, Anita Baker, Kenny G, and David Sanborn. It was played often on urban radio stations in "quiet storm" time slots. The emergence of smooth jazz demonstrated the increasing commercialization of jazz and its crossover appeal to wider audiences.
Neo-Bop
The 1980s also saw a reaction against fusion and free jazz, with musicians like trumpeter Wynton Marsalis leading a revival of traditional jazz styles. Marsalis rejected fusion and free jazz, focusing on the forms pioneered by artists like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, as well as the hard bop of the 1950s. This movement aimed to return to the core elements of swing, melody, and harmonic structure that defined earlier jazz forms. Neo-bop reflected a desire among some musicians to reclaim the perceived purity and authenticity of jazz traditions.
Popularity
Commercial Appeal
The chart illustrates the contrasting popularity and commercial appeal of different jazz genres in the 1980s, highlighting the divergent paths of smooth jazz and neo-bop.
Electronic Influence in Jazz
From the 1990s to the present, jazz has been characterized by a diverse range of styles and influences, with no single genre dominating. This period has seen a significant exploration of electronic music and technology within jazz, expanding the genre's possibilities and attracting new audiences.
1
1990s-2000s Integration
Musicians like Pat Metheny and John Scofield incorporated electronic instruments and rock-derived elements into their music.
2
Technical Advancements
Advancements in electronic music allowed for the integration of jazz improvisation, complex rhythms, and harmonic textures.
3
Expanded Possibilities
The integration of electronic elements expanded jazz's sonic possibilities and attracted new audiences.
4
Ongoing Dialogue
This ongoing integration signifies the continuing dialogue between jazz and contemporary music, ensuring the genre's relevance in the evolving musical landscape.
This period of jazz pluralism reflects the continuing evolution and adaptability of jazz. Musicians continue to explore new sonic possibilities and draw inspiration from a wide range of musical cultures and traditions. Some artists, like Brad Mehldau and The Bad Plus, began to incorporate contemporary rock music into jazz. Others, such as saxophonists Greg Osby and Charles Gayle, adhered to an avant-garde or free jazz approach. Musicians like James Carter integrated free jazz elements with more traditional styles.
The technical advancements in electronic music have allowed for a unique blend of jazz improvisation, complex rhythms, and harmonic textures. This ongoing integration of electronic elements signifies the ongoing dialogue between jazz and contemporary music, ensuring the genre's relevance in the evolving musical landscape.