Jazz and Political Connections

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Recommended: The emergence of jazz

Jazz has been a genre we have been studying over these past couple of weeks. During these weeks I have acquired new knowledge that has interested me in this genre. I never viewed jazz as being a political style of music nor did I know that there were songs that contained political messages. Finding out about these different songs and jazz having some aspect of political style to it intrigued me to write about this genre.
Throughout the many artists and songs we have study on this genre there have been a few ways jazz has incorporated political styles into the genre. Moments in history and events that happened in the past are ways that jazz musicians have incorporated political styles into their music. For example racism has been a big issue in history in the past and have affected many African-Americans lives. Billie Holiday was able to bring out this tragic enslavement of African-Americans and describe how they were treated back in the 20's. Strange Fruit, a poem by Abel Meeropol, which was later picked up by Billie Holiday and formed into a song is one way jazz has incorporated into political discourse. This song describes the lynching of African-Americans in the south and a protest against the inhumanity of racism. Billie Holiday singing this song and introducing this type of musical lyrics to her audience brings about the political issue of racism and the inhumane treatment they endured. She was able to inform people of what really happened to African-Americans back in the day and is able to tell the story of what many African-Americans had to endure. When racism is discussed it’s just a brief overview of whites and blacks being segregated. It really does not go into detail of the beatings and punishments they encountered. S...

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...tical songs like Strange Fruit and Fables of Faubus because of the political issues they discuss. It’s good to hear songs that tell events of the past. They can be very informative and enhance the musical by telling a story. I believe giving the music a political subject enhanced the musical style because the music can illustrate a narrate or tell a story, encourage a certain emotional reaction in the audience, and even communicate something that is not being shown.
I enjoyed learning about jazz because it brings about different emotions when you listen to it and I enjoyed the different instruments sounds found in them: saxophone, trumpet, guitar, harmonica, etc. Jazz is an interesting genre and the music that do contain political connection are fascinating to listen to. Jazz is a genre I will continue to look into and find more artist and songs to listen too.

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