Early New Orleans

Storyville

• New Orlean’s official red light district– prostitution, bars, music

  • good job opportunities for blacks since it was frowned upon to work there

  • helped progress jazz across new orleans

• 1897-1917

  • closed in 1917 bc people found job opportunities toward chicago.

Louis Armstrong / King Oliver

• Joe “King” Oliver was a New Orleans cornetist, bandleader,
  • mentor to Louis Armstrong
• Armstrong joined Oliver in Chicago with his Creole Jazz Band in 1923.
  • Lil Hardin - piano, Johny Dodds - clarinet
• Armstrong later became popular for his solos
• Oliver represented the collective group improvisation in New Orleans Jazz
• Armstrong brought individualism and strong solos to forefront of jazz

Hot 5 and Hot 7

• recording groups who celebrated OKeh sessions from 1925-1928 in chicago

  • OKeh records - early publishment and recording of jazz

  • kickstarted many careers in jazz like louis armstrong

• showcased armstrong’s importance as a soloist

• Potato Head Blues by the Hot Seven

• recordings spread an influential model of jazz improv beyond live local audiences

  • more mainstream

Original Dixieland Band

• The Original Dixieland Jazz Band - group of 5 white musicians from New Orleans
  • made first commercially released jazz recordings in 1917
  • “Livery Stable Blues”
• this recording served as a catalyst for the diffusion and spreading of jazz
• absence of earlier black jazz records reflects unequal access and business conditions for blacks
  • they were afraid of their work getting stolen
  • but also weren’t given same opportunities

Volstead Act 1919

• provided necessary resources to enforce prohibition act (18th amendment)
• national prohibition began in 1920.
• illegal alcohol sales and speakeasies helped shape nightlife economy → jazz flourished
• 1919 legislation →1920 enforcement → prohibition nightlife