preview

The Influence Of Jazz In The 1920's

Decent Essays

Ella Fitzgerald, aka “The First Lady of Song,” was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century (A Culture of Change). Jazz was the time period between the 1920’s and 1930’s. The Jazz Age has impacted the lives of Americans throughout history. To this day, people still perform and listen to modern and old jazz music. Jazz influenced the music industry in a way that altered America. As the Jazz Age evolved, the types of American music changed tremendously through the 1920’s, thus determining later music styles.
As jazz began to gain popularity, it changed American life throughout the 1920’s. Before jazz music, American societies were plummeting. World War I caused a series of unfortunate events for America. Starvation, limited resources, and racial prejudice were only a few factors to society’s downhill slide. However, the changing attitudes of the 1920’s began to uplift American spirits. Jazz …show more content…

African Americans are largely credited for the creation of the jazz style due to their use of woodwind instruments and African genes. For example, the Charleston, a 1920’s era dance, was popularized by African Americans. However, many middle class white Americans adopted jazz as their own. Due to racial prejudice, white American jazz artists received more credit on radio stations and shows opposed to African Americans, who originally idolized jazz. Jazz exacerbated racial tensions during the post war period. Due to white Americans receiving credit for jazz, African Americans grew angry, thus increasing tension between the two races. Despite the tension, jazz still influenced all aspects of society. Young people especially were largely impacted by the jazz age. Many families moved into cities or towns opposed to staying outside of town in the country. Farming became less popularized as people wanted to rebel against their old ways (A New Jazz

Get Access