Jul 04 2011 11:04 pm
Posted by heng.yu under July 5 Assignment
Music of the 20th Century
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GuDExkBmnU
Music reflects the time and social aspects of that period of time. There was a big development in twentieth century, because the need of leisure was in demand in the fast developing New York City. The Harlem Renaissance was a big cultural movement in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. Harlem was the African-Americans’ neighborhood. African-Americans’ music, for example, the Jazz, was very popular at that time. Music changed the social status of African-Americans. They became more accepted and appreciated in the city. Also in that period, Blues, another type of African-American music was blooming in Chicago. More African-Americans moved from the southern states to the northern states, such as from Texas to Chicago. At the beginning, this kind of music was not popular and just for entertains African-Americans. However, after more and more people visited the city and listened to their performance. The music became popular. Music played an important role to African-Americans in the American society. It let people get to know more about African-Americans and accept them were also the citizens.
5 Responses to “Music of the 20th Century”
Sujan on 06 Jul 2011 at 12:00 pm #
I agree with this post that music played an important role during twentieth century. The word “Jazz” was first used to refer to music in Chicago at about 1915. African-American music was utilized in the creation of “respectable” form of entertainment in white-supported urban commercial amusements. White suburbanites trekked to Harlem nightspots to hear the hottest African-American jazz bands, and New Orleans-born Italian-American Louis Prima played jazz trumpet and performed with his orchestra for African-American audiences at the Apollo Theater in New York. Much of American popular music emerged out of a process of cultural exchange and mixing.
suman.amatya on 06 Jul 2011 at 5:35 pm #
I agree with Heng that during 1920 there was a huge revolution in the musical history. The music not only changed Africann American society but it also took the music into next level. During 1920 Jazz mucic became so popular not only in the New York City but also in other states like Chicago where many Jazz players headed in search for work and wider exposure through records and radio. As we study in class how the Harlem neighborhood changed because of the music. Similarly, the music brought changes in other states and in other societies during 1920.
Hailie J on 06 Jul 2011 at 6:03 pm #
I agreed that music, especially Jazz, gave African-American a chance to build their better social status with their own culture during the twentieth century. If I add more, there were also a lot of culture exchange. African-American and white cross over in literature, music, art and so forth. Musical in this period is a good example that is combined African-American jazz music with American style dance and stage.
junko.todoroki on 06 Jul 2011 at 11:58 pm #
I agree with Heng that music was one aspect of development in the twentieth century. Especially in 1920s, many people took an interest in music. After World War I, about 500,000 African Americans searched better job opportunities and moved to the north parts of the U.S. The Harlem Renaissance started with those African Americans. During the period, the works of African Americans in fields such as writing and music developed. Dixieland and blues became popular as well. Louis Armstrong was one of the first African American entertainers in the U.S. and Marty Napoleon was a jazz pianist who performed with Louis Armstrong. I mentioned Marty Napoleon because he is my friend’s gradfather! I found a video that they were performing together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7ujCpK6Wio