Chicago Jazz As A Cultural History Summary

Kenney, William Howland. Chicago Jazz : A Cultural History, 1904-1930. New York: Oxford

University Press, 1993.

William Howland Kenney provides an in depth look at the Chicago jazz as a cultural movement that shaped the 1920’s. His new interpretation of the Chicago Jazz life reveals the role of race, cultural, and politics in the growth of this new musical style. This in depth look focuses on the rise of jazz from 1904 until its end in 1930. This book covers a lot of areas in Jazz that were fundamental in its development. My overall impression is that this book is well written, it is expansive in its overview of jazz. Kenney is knowledgeable in this area of cultural history, and his book is well researched. The purpose of this book is to

Kenney focuses on this instead of its start in Chicago. Looking at it this way provides a deeper view into how jazz got its start. Jazz is known as a Midwestern style of music. However, it has southern roots and its meaning and undertones paint images of the south. Kenney does a good job at showing the historical context of the Chicago jazz age. Chicago became known as the jazz center of America once it hit the cabarets of the South side. This allows for a booming market of entertainment that permits for musical competition, jazz is propelled forwarded as a new American art from in the 1920’s. (Kenney 1993, 4) Kenney presents this in such a manner that the cultural context ties into the birth of Chicago

This theme is logical, and correct. When we now think of the 1920’s we first think of jazz. Jazz was the voice of the era that shaped political, economic, and social views. It allowed for speakeasies and changes in society to occur in this era. Cabarets are the norm for the roaring 20’s because they were the home of jazz. In these club’s people could go and have a good time, but they would leave with a renewed sense of life. The musicians and clubgoers of jazz helped shape society to their views, jazz influenced and motivated