Jazz

The abolition of slavery in America in 1865 accelerated the process of African-Americans combining their work songs, melodies, spirituals, and rhythms with European music and instruments, leading to the conception of what would become known as jazz.

In 1895, the original Jazz band known as the 'Spasm Band' was formed by seven boys aged twelve to fifteen in New Orleans. They performed under the name 'Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band.'

On April 29, 1899, the legendary jazz composer and pianist, Duke Ellington, is born.

Jazz is believed to have originated at the turn of the 20th century in New Orleans, but also emerged in other North American cities like Kansas City, Saint Louis, and Chicago. It combined West African black folk music with European popular and classical music, leading to the development of syncopated rhythms of Ragtime and minor chord voicings of the Blues.

In 1902, the 12-year-old Jelly Roll Morton claimed to have 'invented' Jazz. He was a regular visitor of Storyville, a famous district in New Orleans known for its music and entertainment.

The first jazz record 'Dixie Jass Band One Step/Livery Stable Blues' was recorded by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band (ODJB) in February 1917. This recording is often considered as the beginning of jazz in the music industry.

The arrival of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band (ODJB) and the Southern Syncopated Orchestra, featuring Sidney Bechet, in London in 1919, played a central role in inspiring a community of musicians and fans in Britain. This event is considered as the launch of Britain's own 'jazz age'.

In 1921, Jazz saw significant developments with the emergence of new styles and influential musicians shaping the genre.

Trombonist Kid Ory's band, based in Los Angeles, becomes the first black ensemble to record music in the New Orleans style.

On July 17, 1923, the first integrated recording session took place where Jelly Roll Morton recorded with The New Orleans Rhythm Kings. This event marked a significant moment in the history of music, showcasing the collaboration between different racial groups in the recording industry.

Louis Armstrong relocates to New York City to collaborate with bandleader Fletcher Henderson, further solidifying his reputation as a pioneering jazz musician.

Louis Armstrong's solo recordings from 1925 with his Hot Five and Hot Seven definitively established jazz as a soloist's art rather than an ensemble-based music. This marked a significant shift in the perception of jazz music.

In 1926, Louis Armstrong made history by recording the first Jazz scat vocal, known as Heebie Jeebies, showcasing his innovative musical talents.

On December 4, 1927, Duke Ellington's band had a groundbreaking performance at the Cotton Club in New York, marking a significant moment in Jazz history.

On July 6, 1937, the Benny Goodman orchestra recorded an extended version of Louis Prima's 'Sing, Sing, Sing,' featuring a drum solo by Gene Krupa. This recording elevated the role of the drummer from a background accompaniment to a prominent solo voice in the band.

Benny Goodman's concert at Carnegie Hall in NYC was a significant event that showcased a history of hot music with notable musicians like Harry James and Gene Krupa. The jam session later in the evening highlighted the impromptu nature of Jazz with musicians like Count Basie, Johnny Hodges, and Lester Young.

In 1939, during a Harlem jam session while playing 'Cherokee', Charlie Parker makes a harmonic discovery that paves the way for the development of Bebop, a more complex style of Jazz in terms of harmony and rhythm.

Bebop, considered a pivotal moment in jazz history, marked a shift towards more complex and improvisational music, departing from the traditional swing style, with Dizzy Gillespie being a key figure in its development.

In 1941, 'Snakehips' Johnson’s orchestra suffered a direct hit by a bomb while playing at London’s Café de Paris, impacting the jazz community and leading to the enrichment of Britain’s jazz population by West Indian musicians.

During the war, jazz split into two contrasting musical orientations: modern jazz (bebop) and traditional jazz 'Revivalism'. The term 'bebop' was likely first used at Minton’s Playhouse in New York, with Charlie Parker emerging as a celebrated icon of bebop.

The year 1943 marked the rise of Bebop, a subgenre of jazz that gained prominence and recognition within the jazz community.

On January 18, 1944, The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City held its inaugural Jazz concert to raise funds for the war effort. The event was organized based on a reader's poll for Esquire magazine.

In 1947, the first jazz degree was offered at a University, signifying the academic recognition and institutionalization of Jazz as a serious art form.

In 1948, Jazz Journal, Britain's longest-running jazz periodical, was first published. It continued as a print publication until 2019, providing a platform for jazz enthusiasts to explore and engage with the genre.

John Dankworth established his successful touring group, the Seven, in 1950 to showcase his own compositions and arrangements. He later led his own full-time touring orchestra from 1953 to 1964, becoming an early ambassador for British jazz during his first performances in the USA in 1958.

In 1953, Los Angeles, California witnessed a unique collaboration between Harry Babasin, Laurindo Almeida, Roy Harte, and Bud Shank. This collaboration marked the fusion of Brazilian 'Baiao' rhythms with modern Jazz for the first time.

In 1954, George Wein organized the first Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island, marking the beginning of a series of iconic jazz festivals held in the future.

Ella Fitzgerald starts recording the 'Songbook' series for Verve, a new label founded by Norman Granz. These recordings propel Fitzgerald to international fame.

In August 1958, 57 jazz legends gathered in Harlem for a photo shoot for Esquire magazine, creating an iconic image known as 'A Great Day in Harlem'.

1959 was a pivotal year in jazz with the release of groundbreaking albums like Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue', John Coltrane's 'Giant Steps', and Ornette Coleman's 'Shape of Jazz to Come', which pushed the boundaries of improvisation.

In 1960, British musician Joe Harriott recorded music that broke away from traditional jazz elements like pre-determined rhythm, melody, and harmony. His unique approach incorporated harmonically-free improvisation, chord-based, and modal musical forms, setting him apart from American jazz developments of the time.

The genres of Free Jazz and the Black Rights movements became intertwined, reflecting a cultural and social connection between music and activism.

In 1965, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) was established by Bill Ashton to provide young jazz musicians in Britain with a formal training ground. Many of its graduates have gone on to have successful musical careers.

In the late 1960s and 1970s, jazz incorporated electric guitars, basses, and pianos to infuse rock aspects into its music, creating a popular genre known as Jazz Fusion. This fusion paved the way for blending different music styles in the future.

Louis Armstrong passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Corona, New York. Three days later, a funeral procession was held for him, and thousands of people gathered to mourn his loss.

In 1984, pianist, composer and arranger Django Bates became a founder member of Loose Tubes, an ensemble that presented a challenging and original fusion of styles. Loose Tubes was the first jazz group to play at the BBC Proms in 1987.

In November 1988, the National Jazz Archive (NJA) was founded by trumpeter Digby Fairweather with the goal of preserving the history of jazz, blues, and related music through collecting various materials.

In the 1990s, Post Bop evolved into a modern interpretation known as Classicism, leading to a 'retro-renaissance' trend. This revival attracted listeners and followers of all ages and cultures, bringing attention to the early styles of renowned jazz musicians.

In 1991, Gary Crosby and Janine Irons established Tomorrow's Warriors to support new and aspiring jazz musicians, with a focus on encouraging black and female entrants into the music. The organization has since grown in prominence and importance, expanding its promoting and educational activities.

In August 1993, the National Jazz Archive (NJA) was re-launched in larger premises at Loughton Library, supported by Essex County Council.

Jamie Cullum released his second studio album, Twentysomething, in October 2003. It became the No. 1 selling studio album by a jazz artist in the UK.