Chicago: The Jazz Hub

At the beginning of the twentieth century the booming industrial revolution led to an influx of African Americans leaving the south for the north in search of factory and city jobs. This was known as the Great Migration. As a result, Chicago became a hot bed for opportunity and entertainment and in turn the young working class created a desire for more nightclubs, bars, and cabarets acting as a magnet for musical pioneers. Changing social and cultural traditions, economic prosperity, and a booming population all combined to turn Chicago into a musical hub leading to the advancement of a distinct jazz style that paralleled and represented the African American community.

There were many factors that combined to transform Chicago into the perfect sphere to nurture the development of jazz as a major musical trend and tradition. Economically Chicago offered salvation to many African Americans to, “search for a better life, for greater opportunities to work, to support a family, to enjoy a modicum of personal freedom­­––options that were much harder for an African American to pursue In the segregated South,” and as a result black population more than tripled (Gioia 43). However this influx of people was not limited to African American, many different artists and musicians of different races made the migration to the South (Gioia 76). This sheer population growth and migration of African American musicians allowed for the blending of different styles coming from New Orleans and other southern states, while also allowing these musicians to expand and advance their audiences and style.

Racial intolerance in the South was another motivating factor of the New Orleans Diaspora. Chicago offered a more accepting environment; collaboration between white and black musicians even began to flourish seen in the alliance between Jelly Roll Morton and the New Orleans Rhythm Kings (Gioia 44). Although many white jazz bands were attempting to recreate African American jazz sounds, this cultural blending was the first of its kind and continues to display how, “Chicago was the hub of contemporary and forward looking jazz” (154 The Best of Jazz). As a result of white participation in jazz, recordings became more popular finding that white privilege allowed for greater interest from recording studios. As a result however, African American jazz artists began to benefit after being recognized for, “their commercial potential” (Gioia 44). As jazz began to be laid down on records, not only could it reach broader audiences, be played anytime, anywhere, but also allowed for more economic growth and expansion. The culture of metropolitan Chicago and its importance on various form of artistic expression also contributed to the rise and popularity of jazz. For example, “Lincoln Gardens, the largest dance hall on the south side,“ was built allowing for a venue for musicians to be heard, collaborate, and advance their style and skill (Gioia 44).

Many critics have discredited Chicago Style claiming, “that they tried to copy New Orleans jazz and simply got it wrong” (154 The Best of Jazz). However, I view this critique to be wrong; although Chicago jazz adopted its style and was influenced by New Orleans it completely transformed to embody an up-beat, fast paced style that not only revolutionized the sound but got people moving. “The work of these young Chicagoans seem to have been not so much a style, more schizophrenia set to music” (161 The Chicagoans). In an effort to prove their mastery of jazz and abilities beyond that of New Orleans jazz, Chicago jazz artists would overcompensate, “trying to show how good they were, they got too fancy…too ornate and over elaborate,” this high energy music at times would be too much for the listener who is stuck to their old New Orleans roots (160 The Chicagoans). However it is this risk of musical transformation that allowed for Chicagoan jazz to take hold of audiences and gain recognition.

An artist who best represents the culture and community of Chicago and the rising new Chicagoan style would be Louis Armstrong. “Armstrong’s stage presence, repartee and globe roving activities as an unofficial ambassador for jazz almost overshadowed his role as a musician,” however when he took to the stage he combined his expert musicianship with his creativity and ability to create a fun ambience for the audience (Gioia 66). Due to his impact on jazz and the rise and creation of Chicago style along with his expert skills and highly popular music, Louis Armstrong is an innovator in the jazz world. His music not only greatly impacted the Chicago community and the community of musicians but also inspired many artists and led to the development and inspiration for jazz as a forefront in music.