20th Century Music Study Notes

New Orleans Economic Conditions: A city facing insolvency, leading many to migrate up the Mississippi River for better prospects.
Storyville (1897): The noted red-light district of New Orleans, recognized as a birthplace of jazz.
Buddy Bolden: A cornet player who left a significant mark on jazz, integrating gospel influences into his music and forming his own bands.

Urban Migration: The Great Migration allowed musicians to seek opportunities in cities like Chicago and New York, leading to the growth of jazz in urban settings but also deeply influencing blues.
Robert Johnson: An iconic blues musician whose work was deeply influenced by the Great Migration, which saw many African Americans moving from the South to Northern cities. His music is seen as a nostalgic return to the sound of home.
Country Blues: Characterized by a simple format, typically performed by one person with a guitar. Notable contributors include Blind Lemon Jefferson. The genre is characterized by call and response techniques.
Classic Blues: Emerged from the vaudeville tradition, featuring blues queens and often accompanied by bands. Bessie Smith is a notable figure in this genre.

Jazz Characteristics: Faster, more intense playing with an emphasis on horns, which differentiated it from traditional brass band styles.
Creole Jazz Band: An early jazz ensemble led by King Oliver, noted for blending different musical styles including blues.
Jazz Age Influences: Louis Armstrong, Buddy Bolden, and King Oliver were foundational figures in developing jazz.

Harlem Renaissance: This cultural movement provided fertile ground for black artists, leading to the emergence of personalities like Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington.
Economic Change: Despite Harlem’s initial status as an upper-class neighborhood, it faced economic challenges that influenced its artistic community.

Stock Market Crash (1929): Catalyst for the era known for dramatic shifts in the music industry, significantly impacting jazz and the big band scene.
Radio Emergence: Became the primary form of entertainment, affecting music distribution and consumption dynamics; recorded music faced a downturn.
Orchestration in Big Bands: During the Great Depression, musicians banded together to create big bands, maximizing the sound suitable for danceable tunes.
Benny Goodman: A clarinetist who gained prominence by adapting to the changing musical landscape, appealing to mass audiences, with significant contributions during the 1930s, such as his radio performances.
Swing/Jazz Highlights:
- "It Don’t Mean a Thing" by Duke Ellington: This piece epitomizes the swing era.
- "Swingin’ the Blues" by Count Basie: A pivotal work within the swing genre.

Crooners: Emerged in the late 1940s, focusing on light-sounding jazz with a romantic appeal. Artists included Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.
Muzak: A form of ambient music designed to enhance productivity, featuring smooth jazz and crooner hits.
R&B Developments: Began diverging from traditional jazz, incorporating more upbeat elements and appealing broadly to younger audiences, leading to the rise of jump bands.

Jump Bands: Characterized by upbeat, danceable music; prominent figures include Louis Jordan.
Payola: The practice of bribing radio DJs to play specific records, emerging as an influential component in the 1940s music industry.
Crossover Success: Artists like Chuck Berry and Little Richard bridged the gap between R&B and rock 'n' roll, engaging both black and white audiences with songs like "Johnny B. Goode" and "Tutti Frutti."
Elvis Presley: Known as the “King of Rock and Roll,” he bridged R&B styles into mainstream popular music, driven by his marketing and crossover appeal.

Key Civil Rights Events: Major historical moments intertwined with musical evolution, such as the Freedom Riders and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Soul Music: A blend of R&B, gospel, and blues, emerging in the 1960s with artists feeling empowered to express their social views through their music.
Motown Records: Founded by Berry Gordy, aimed to create cross-genre appeal, featuring artists like The Supremes and Marvin Gaye, effectively re-establishing R&B as a dominant force in popular music.

Sam Cooke: Notable for songs like "A Change Is Gonna Come," influential in the civil rights movement.
Ray Charles: A pivotal figure in soul music, blending jazz, blues, and gospel; known for hits like “What Did I Say.”
James Brown: Known as the “Godfather of Soul,” he innovated musical and performance styles, becoming a cultural icon.

Counterculture Movement: Affecting music in the 1960s, with artists reflecting anti-establishment sentiments, emphasizing civil rights and collective values.
Folk Music's Role: Emerging alongside rock, focusing on storytelling; pivotal artists included Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel.
Woodstock (1969): A significant festival symbolizing the unity and ideals of the counterculture, bringing together various musical genres and protest movements.

Decline of Prominent Figures: The passing of influential musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin shaped the cultural landscape, marking a loss for the counterculture movement.
Rebranding of Rock: Influences from counterculture reshaped music into what would be considered modern popular music, breaking conventional molds and redefining artistic expression.