Ken Burns: Roots, Minstrelsy, Blues, Ragtime

Jazz History

Where was jazz born? What was this place like?

New Orleans, Ethnically Diverse, Cosmipolitian

What was Congo Square? What happened there?

The square where black slaves were able to play music on Saturdays and Sundays

Who were Creoles of Color?

Lighter Skined decendants of french peoples

Minstrelsy reinforced what?

Racial Sterotypes

What is the “strange dance” that Wynton Marsalis speaks of?

Tension between Black and White Americans

What was the name of the first big minstrel hit?

Jim Crow

Ragtime drew from what other musical genres?

African Minstrials, Folk Songs, European Marches

What are some non-technical aspects of the blues?

Feelings

How are the blues about freedom?

recognize what pains you, gives liberation