Jazz is an art form that originated and developed in America. Even though Jazz was created using the musical instincts of the African and European traditions, it reflects the American life. Over the years Jazz music has played a key role by reflecting an American’s right to personal freedom of expression. For instance, “Jazz has been called the purest expression of American democracy; a music built on individualism and compromise, independence and cooperation [1].” It has had a major influence on many musical styles and genres within the American society and continues to do so. Therefore, Jazz can be called the true American Classical Music. Just like Classical Music, Jazz has its own standard of literacy, form, and complexity. It has established a value over time and it allows many cultures to communicate thought as well as ideas with one another for Jazz is widely known. The only time Jazz was considered mainstream was the in the 1930s commonly known as the Swing Era. This is the time where many musicians were finally experimenting with the music and crafting jazz arrangements for bigger bands. The end of the Swing Era was marked by one main disaster. This had to do largely with the direct effects of World War II itself for members in the big bands were forced to serve their country [1]. There were also gas shortages, a tax raise, and curfew. These dissuaded people from going out which had a dramatic impact on the Swing. Since then Jazz music then proceeded to decline in popularity over the centuries. However, the complex rhythm and improvisations have been very influential to other genres of music. For example, Jazz music aided a hand in the upbringing of the blues in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Without the blues one popular genre in today’s American society, country music, would never have been born. Jazz is just as or more important in today’s society. It has just evolved over time and will continue to do so. Just like the American people, Jazz is the product from many different cultures. Jazz is a complex form of music so it does not have that “instant appeal” like other forms of music. However, anyone one can enjoy as well as play it. For instance, women have been involved with Jazz since the beginning but their achievements are not as well-known. Women were mainly the vocalists in Jazz bands, but in the 1920s they began playing instruments. The women fully took over when the men were drafted for World War II be forming all women big jazz bands.
Listening to the music within this week’s chapter I enjoyed the song, “Hotter Than That,” the most and I realized it was performed by a big Jazz band. This song made me think of the 1950s and how the people would be all dressed up dancing. The texture of this song begins with a free polyphony followed by improvised solos such as, trumpet, clarinet, voice, then trombone. Lil Hardin Armstrong created a masterpiece by including his instrumental power and his soulfulness all in one song.

[1] “Jazz.” PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 23 June 2016.