The JAZZ Story

that must be considered early Jazz. It came out of St. Louis, which grew to

be the center of ragtime; Memphis, which was the birthplace of W.C.Handy (1873-1958), the famed composer and collector of blues; Atlanta,

Baltimore, and other such cities.

What was unique to New Orleans at the time was a very open and free

social atmosphere. People of different ethnic and racial backgrounds could

establish contact, and out of this easy communication came a rich musical

tradition involving French, Spanish, German, Irish and African elements. It

was no wonder that this cosmopolitan and lively city was a fertile breeding

ground for Jazz.

If New Orleans was the birthplace of Jazz in truth as well as in legend, the

tale that the music was born in its red light district is purest nonsense. New

Orleans did have legalized prostitution and featured some of the most

elaborate and elegant "sporting houses" in the nation. But the music, if any,

that was heard in these establishments was made by solo pianists.

Actually, Jazz was first heard in quite different settings. New Orleans was

noted for its many social and fraternal organizations, most of which

sponsored or hired bands for a variety of occasions -- indoor and outdoor

dances, picnics, store openings, birthday or anniversary parties. And, of

course, Jazz was the feature of the famous funeral parades, which survive

even today. Traditionally, a band assembles in front of the church and

leads a slow procession to the cemetery, playing solemn marches and

mournful hymns. On the way back to town, the pace quickens and fast,

peppy marches and rags replace the dirges. These parades, always great

crowd attractions, were important to the growth of Jazz. It was here that

trumpeters and clarinetists would display their inventiveness and the