A Brief(ish) History of Jazz

Ya like jazz? Well I certainly do. In this video we explore the history of jazz, from its conception in west Africa and the Americas, all the way through the 19th and 20th centuries, through blues, ragtime, swing, bebop, the free jazz and on into the modern day.
Featuring such artists as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Scott Joplin, and many others!
PATREON
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What would come to be jazz originated in the spiritual and traditional music of West Africa. These musical traditions were- and continue to be- extremely diverse, what with Africa being FUCKING MASSIVE, however there are some commonalities between regional styles. The players of West African music placed a heavy emphasis on rhythm as opposed to melody or harmony, and very often would involve many different rhythms layered on top of each other in Polyrhythms .
Ragtime was a very popular style of music which appeared in the 1890s, and very quickly took over dance halls all throughout the States. In contrast to the subdued Blues, ragtime was loud, and big and colourful. The style, which was mostly played on pianos, adopted vibrant harmony, and utilised crazy syncopated rhythms
The Jazz age was a period in the 20s and 30s where Jazz rose to meteoric popularity. The genre had become almost completely ubiquitous- it was played everywhere. Coffee houses, great big theatres, bars, restaurants, you name it! Even classical musicians like Ravel and Shostakovich were beginning to take inspiration from Jazz, and would incorporate some of its elements into their own styles. .
Swing was an immensely popular style of jazz around this time. Developing out of dance orchestra of the 1920s, Swing would reach its height of popularity in the 30s and 40s.
Post war Jazz arose in the 1940s as a response to the decadent popularity of swing in the 20s and 30s. Jazz began to take a turn for hipster- gone were the days of popular, simple, dancing jazz - no - musicians were bored of that stuff. It’s always the case, whenever something is really cool and then gets popular because it’s really cool, there’s always a group of nerds that are like “ugh, I knew it before it was popular”
In their opinion, earlier jazz was forced to sacrifice its potential as art for mass appeal, but no more. Musicians had a desire - they wanted to listen to jazz, not dance, listen . Musicians wanted to reform the genre into a mature style that not only is fun to listen to, but also captures deep musical meaning. And from this desire, Bebop was born.
Jazz throughout the mid to late 20th century continued to transform. Free and avante garde jazz appeared, and experimentalism came into vogue. Musicians like John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock all added their own distinctive flavours to the mix- developing new, never-before-seen musical structures and techniques in jazz that are used all across music today. Art Ensemble of Chicago, an experimental jazz group, arose in the late 60s- very often ignoring melody and harmony altogether, and instead using nonstandard instruments like bicycles bells and rubber ducks.
Jazz artists today are constantly finding new and exciting ways to reanimate and advance the genre- combining jazz standards with rock, hip hop, pop, folk, even western classical.
Musicians like Ashley Henry, Maria chiaro Argiro, Joel Ross and so many others are all contributing to the genre in their own unique and genius ways- in far too many directions for me to adequately talk about them all in this video.
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original video: (link to original clip in our channel)
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00:00 Intro
01:02 Origins
04:19 Blues and Ragtime
06:40 The Jazz Age
08:52 Post-war
10:58 Modern Day
13:06 The part where i (unfortunately) talk about myself

[@zer-mela]

Censored versions for teachers and their classes: With Bleep: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqGac5qkjNuojqM Without Bleep; expletives silenced: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGnNpWqYf69rjq8

[@janethampton6671]

ahhh......thank you ( I think) I hadn't seen this until after I pressed "send"

[@zer-mela]

@@janethampton6671 haha dont worry, honestly leave the comment anyway- any interaction helps boost the algorithm 🤷‍♂️. Hope this is good for your class

[@Petey5544]

Thank you for this :)

[@DeepCrossing1]

yes you read our minds, thank you, will use the censored version. Also, some of us wouldn't be bored shitless to hear more theoretical analysis, e.g. your discussion of your experiment with Bartok / Coltrane elements.

[@jessicaolsonpianostudio7915]

Thank you!! This is the best version I've found, and I was just thinking - dang - I can't use it in my piano studio. Now I can!!

[@berpot3]

I'm writing an essay on Jazz right now and listening to this really helped contextualize alot without having to trawl through lengthy wordy articles so thank you so much! Also, having the lense of your personal character and energy and the little comedic flairs really makes it much more interesting than any boring article I could have found. Thank you so much :D

[@zer-mela]

Glad I could help 💚

[@MF-kv6uc]

haha it is funny that I'm in the same situation... BTW, nice and helpful video!!

[@icanmoonwalk7378]

I'd read it for fun if you don't mind.

[@olukiyesimi]

saameee LOL update: bruh i got an 88 on it

[@tedcabana]

Please, read my reply insteed. I am a "conservatory" trained perfoming artist, and music historian, past, yet present. I consider myself a Music Anthropologist. Regurgitating what some Ass-Hat on KZbin told you is no sub-reference for your formal education. Nor does it contextualize the historical facts. All our knowlege, prior to the recording, and motion picture industry, is learned through what has been writen by first hand journalists, and the interpretation of those journalist's observations.

[@luciagrossi4638]

I really appreciate the emphasis you put on the colonial process, specially it being a central topic when talking about music that mixes african traditions with american ones, but is mostly overlooked since a lot of people (specially in Europe) prefer to look the other way instead of acknowledging what's happened. That's a part of history that cannot be overlooked, so great job!

[@biancasowesscoast6465]

They hate acknowledging it. The funny part is we as blk people don’t care about the origins of styles of music. It’s only an issue when they hear it.

[@ComostroTirsoJose]

I need this video to be longer!!! It will be amazing if I can hear a bit of every genre you talked about. I really enjoy it but I'm sure everybody will appreciate a longer version.

[@striker_1120]

Dude you’re really fucking underrated

[@zer-mela]

Thanks 💚

[@laboucheduserpent-]

Absolutely, I like this channel.

[@kimganong473]

I'm literally assigning this to my college class tomorrow. 100/10.

[@Stoney-Jacksman]

Much props to you for mentioning colonialism and slavery - when talking about the history of the music and how much culture was eradicated by Europeans. I expected you would skip over it, but you didn't and I thank you for it.

[@noahharrison7684]

Love the commentary, super insightful but incredibly entertaining.

[@brianhonan4427]

I just wish he would not drop F bombs so teachers can share with students. I enjoy it as an adult though.

[@zer-mela]

@@brianhonan4427 if you check the pinned comment you will see that their are multiple censored versions for use in class 💚

[@heygirlisland292]

This is THE most informative video on the history of Jazz!!! Thank you. You’re so smart and hilarious!

[@willjuttonmusic5474]

This is a really good vid

[@MrGreglego]

Yes

[@nivinsuresh8102]

Yessir

[@Johnnyhumbkr]

Really awesome video! You covered a lot of bases, without being overly technical. Jazz has been going on for over 120 years, so it’s kind of hard to define in a nutshell. About 40 years ago,when I became musician, I was flabbergasted by this guy I met in high school who was a very gifted improviser. So I started trying to improvise myself. Still impressed to this day by people who improvise well,as it takes a lot of practice and study! Again , great video, my friend, Cheers from the USA!

[@die-cry-hate]

I'm just starting to explore jazz in more detail. This is a great help for understanding the roots of this great music!

[@adamgansenberg8100]

thank you so much for this, literally my new favorite channel

[@zer-mela]

That's so nice thanks 💚 next video this Friday

[@maddalenabertassi1002]

i just watched a few videos about jazz history but yours was definitely the most fun and interesting to watch just because you have such an inspirational und fun way to talk about something your obviously passionated about!!

[@taylorismylife2997]

I loved this so much! Thanks for making it! Jazz and pop are my favs♥️

[@FreesoundMusic]

Great to see many of our tracks in this cool video! Very well done! ❤️👍🎷

[@roymadhurima_]

Really love your video essays! 💜 Keep 'em comin' 🌻

[@sheryljoannaangelica]

i have never watched something so educational and entertaining at the same time. Thankyou for extricating my thoughts on this matter!

[@Tsudkyk]

I’m new to your channel, but I dig your vibe. I’m only a couple minutes into this video and I’m already sold.

[@benimoo7894]

yoooo this is amazing work 🤩 finally my mans is getting the recognignition he deserves! keep it up bruh ❤️

[@PauloVictor-wn5nn]

Wow, by the quality of this video I thought you had hundreds of thousands of subscribers. That was a very fun and informative video to watch, thank you for uploading it!

[@zer-mela]

I wish lmao, thanks

[@yusahara]

This was superrrr informative and im so thankful for ur effort into researching all of this 😭

[@rhondadortch5321]

I'm very impressed and entertained with this video. I've never been interested in this genre of music but took an Introduction to Music class for humanities credits. The assignment I'm working on now is a jazz timeline and I must say, my interests are peeked. Thank you!

[@zer-mela]

Jazz is wonderful and is so diverse that I think everyone can find something to like about it- I'm glad you found my video helpful!

[@austinkamenz]

I'm 3 years late, but I gotta say your presentation style is unique and refreshing! I'm paused at 1:11 to write this comment, so I can't speak on the rest of the video yet, but I like the personality of it so far. Nice work!

[@AbdullahMikalRodriguez]

Bruh your channel is awesome thank you for your work 🙏

[@joeh773]

Loved the music theory moments, simple enough even for me to understand. And of course your delivery ;) thanks!

[@bassapace]

Thanks for mentioning Maria Chiara Argiro! I am loving her! What a find!

[@jasonlee4015]

Love your content man! Keep going! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@morten1313]

You made the video very engaging and fun, thank you

[@ellabellemichaels]

Yeah this music video changed my life. Jazz helps me stay present.

[@bryce4395]

Thank you so much for making this!!

[@AlphonseMenkefor]

I wish I had access to this when I was studying Jazz history as elective for my undergraduate degree. Very well done. 😊

[@DGenerationX1311]

Followed a link on a reddit thread and now I'm here. I'm not musically inclined at all but I do love Jazz and so, this was very interesting! Look forward to more music knowledge videos.

[@zer-mela]

Thanks 🎉🎉

[@nathan_khoury]

i saw this on reddit too

[@praisefiles5850]

That was so HELPFUL!! Thanks for the crash course haha

[@paulovitorsancheslira2723]

Awesome video. Thank you!!

[@firemornicle3853]

Fantastic video! Excited to have stumbled onto your channel.

[@sir.spells]

needed this for school and couldnt find anything online, thanks dude

[@valerka9012]

Dude, you are insane! I only started learning about jazz and you just gave all the basic information. Thanks:)

[@zer-mela]

I'm so glad I could help!

[@zoeschlussel5066]

So helpful and well done, thank you!

[@sofiavelasquez5994]

I loved this video, thank you! 🤍

[@danielapachova648]

AMAZING VIDEO!! Thank you!

[@obuyWw]

thanks for the interesting history lesson; good humor btw, i really enjoyed !

[@Spreadsheeter]

You are great! Thank you for the excellent video

[@filipnikolic3509]

Very informative video, great work!

[@celticviolaandfiddle]

Really enjoyable and informative. Keep it up!

[@eduardorios647]

You’re such a cute jazz nerd/musician!Love the content and alien giant steps transitions 🤘💜

[@richfrommitch]

What a great video. I enjoyed the progressively more monged takes on Giant Steps.

[@joshevans2860]

Horribly good, well done

[@marinaperryman5407]

I love you! Legend! Big thanks!

[@9robke123]

Haha this is great! It's like watching Ken Burn's 12 episode 'Jazz' series in the age of internet. Condensed and funny... Really great stuff, will be checking other videos soon :)

[@danielmartines3458]

Awesome vid!!

[@noromanx4]

this is just excellent!

[@janethampton6671]

Dam it!!!! As a middle school music teacher, I was hoping to use this in my class. Its perfect...except for your expletive rather early on. Too bad. Its perfect!

[@conorbakhuizen4061]

Fantastic video!!

[@NatiDeNut]

Loved this video!

[@andyscott350]

Hilarious, informative, and entertaining. Rrelly got a kick out of the social commentary. Well done sir!

[@maxk9102]

I love that you have Giant Steps remix in your intro :)

[@xon4748]

Amazing video man

[@curtpiazza1688]

WOW!! Great intro to jazz!

[@MarkMarxonsBassChannel]

Great video!! Thanks 🙏

[@juandanielgarciamercado]

great video thank you! also cool the giant steps with synthesizers haha

[@zer-mela]

Thanks, the full track is on my soundcloud 💚

[@catowomen]

I randomly got curious about where jazz came from, (and also I wanted to know the meaning behind the sarcastic look on Blake Lively’s character Adeline when the guy puts on “jazz”) and this video made me stayed focused long enough to actually watch and learn, which happens rarely. Anyways I loved your vid!

[@panchen3636]

Good to know this! Thxxxxxxxxx!

[@maisplace]

Thank you for making me laugh while learning

[@djmileski]

I love jazz, and love what you did hear

[@PennyFan92]

Awesome video !!!

[@arielgon3173]

Great video. I have been playing piano for 2 years just playing songs i like. But i want to start learning jazz to grow as a musician.

[@lemonfresh1135]

AWESOME VID

[@terminatordfghfdg]

Great video man

[@SurenderKumar-sz8bv]

This video got me a good grade in music. so thanks

[@iovercomplicatestuff5426]

Thank you this is dope

[@carolinebarley]

Great video! You should do it again where you have for audio examples of all the things you're talking about. To give us a better understanding of the differences along the way and how it changed.

[@zer-mela]

That's a really good idea but unfortunately the nature of youtube means that the use of any copyrighted audio will be instantly flagged and my video will be restricted 😢

[@smokeyallanritter3211]

Very informative thank you!!

[@kaeya8674]

Love this wish it was longer, like probably each artist ur mentioned and other underrated ones and some Latino jazz and other countries jazz :)

[@TearFetSound]

Enjoyed that, thanks, and could have watched a lot more. Good job on packing so much in, I'll probably rewatch later. Also, very rare for me to catch a premiere, and only just arrived home in time for this. I'd be interested in more videos about specific kinds of jazz and individual artists or groups, though I realise it's a massive subject. Love the channel.

[@zer-mela]

Thanks for watching! Yeah I'm thinking of some more jazz topics to talk about, might go into free jazz a bit deeper or maybe explore the third stream. 💫

[@vokaloiyd7952]

Same

[@maetamonxg7718]

this is a great video thanks very very much and I'm subscribed and staying ❤️

[@TheDanksNewGroove]

2:55 You did not have to put that sound byte there but I am glad you did.

[@nicolassoto235]

great video thanks

[@EricJensenMusic]

Really incredibly informative and captivating video! I also loved your discussion at the end on how jazz fusion continues to evolve. I went to school for jazz sax however spent most of my life producing hip hop. I decided last year to start releasing ‘trap jazz’ where I combine jazz sax improvisation over current sounding hip hop production 🥂

[@elenajane4687]

you‘re so underrated this is amazing!

[@FrantzesElzaurdia]

you had me at "oral tradition... DMFKLSDRNGISVDJGNFSKGDF" legendary video

[@forfreedomssake4315]

Interesting. Thanks man

[@frankieseymour3324]

That was great! You got a new subscriber 👍

[@amelboni3229]

Thank you .

[@MorrisArena]

Thank you! Trying to immerse myself into jazz and this video helps with brief history

[@Joy-xy3wk]

i love the video!

[@thefrankiepov413]

grazie del video, breve ma illustrativo

[@nabinpradhan1363]

Underrated content.

[@aquilapacking]

love the humor!

[@MarcoSilesio]

great vid

[@mysticmaisie5827]

Only 1 minute in and love this energy already 😆

[@vicriosrn]

Thank you :)

[@DsIk5cMT]

this was great

[@zer-mela]

Thanks 🎶

[@realrealest4366]

i love this video. it explained jazz so well for my tiny brain to understand 😹

[@bobleeswagger1774]

Wow, haven't seen such thing on KZbin for quite a long time.

[@vokaloiyd7952]

me after 2 minutes of video: SO COOL OMG I'M LOVING THIS Let's see how it ends Pretty cool video so far, well explained with slight funny moments, so yes

[@aaushithakur3983]

Loved this. You are fucking awesome man.

[@elichase2760]

Thanks homie I got a final for my jazz history class in 4 hours

[@zer-mela]

Hope it went well!

[@whartonchan5169]

thank you for including hellzapoppin clip!

[@at3396]

GODAMN It's good. I love it's cool