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Slave Trade
Europeans trafficked and sold Africans as slaves to the Caribbean. -
Working Slaves in America
Many African slaves worked on sugar, cotton, and tobacco plantations in America. -
Birth of the Creole People
In New Orleans, a free mixed race (white French slave masters and African female slaves) people group, known as the Creoles are born. -
Sprituals, Work Songs, and Blues
In the plantations, African Americans sang Spirituals, work songs, and Blues. -
Lost Rights Lead to Traveling Musicians
The Spainards take over New Orleans and the Creole people lose their rights and become traveling musicians. Thus, the roots of jazz is believed to be traced back to these traveling Creole musicians. -
More Slaves to America
European ships continue to bring 50,000 African slaves each year to America. -
Ragtime
Ragtime becomes a popular genre of music. Dixieland jazz is derived from ragtime and is a fusion os Spirituals/Blues and Europeans music. -
Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin is the first African American to become a celebrity performer. He composed many piano pieces which were played in homes. -
Migration to the North
Two Million African Americans move to the north (Chicago/New York City) to escape racism. They brought jazz with them. -
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith records Blues record and it becomes a big hit for African Americans and Caucasians. -
Speakeasies
Speakeasies are set up in Harlem (New York City) and give people and opportunity to hear jazz. Among the famous musicians are Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. -
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong is rising in his career and setting a foundational for standard jazz. -
Glenn Miller and WWII
During WWII, Glenn Miller brought Swing music to the armed forces. Many British people enjoyed the music and the lindy hop dancing. -
Jazz Records
During WWII in the US, Count Basie and Duke Ellington orchestras tour the country. Jazz is heavily broadcasted on the radio and millions of records are sold. -
Jazz Bebop
Many jazz musicians become well-known such as Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. Jazz evolves into Bebop. Bepop uses complex rhythms, further harmony, and improvisation. -
Post-Bop
Jazz continues to change with leading artists experimenting with musical possibilities. Among the leading artists are Miles Davis and John Coltrane. -
Modern Era of Jazz
Hard Bop, Cool Jazz, and Modal Jazz become new styles in the modern era. -
The Influence of Jazz on All Music
Jazz goes on to influence Rock, Latin, African-style music, Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B, and is found all over the world.
