Cool Jazz Research Paper

Words: 421
Pages: 2

Ever wish you grew up in a time where you didn't need lyrics to know what good music meant? To feel the variety of sweet sounds being created by a single breath in a brass instrument. To be in the presence of such talented voices who made their mark in the genre's of Cool Jazz. To grasp the hair-raising soul of the local cats and vocalists about real life situations they partake in. That ladies and gentleman, is known as the Swing Era of history. Bringing it back to the "Boogie Woogie" century of the late 1800s, Jazz was birthed in the segregation times of New Orleans, Louisiana. Over the decades, Jazz became a burnin mainstream invention of the National Music Industry. A unique voice for young African American ex-slaves expressing their freedom …show more content…
Louis Armstrong. Apart from being an idol to instrumentalists and vocalists all over America, his knowledge of his people's right's made him the only African American musician to share his opinion on segregation of schools in 1957. As far as having some sizzling rhythm, he was the man with a plan and stuck to his beliefs. Similar to him was the phenomenal "Lady Day" of the 1950s, Billie Holiday. Gaining experience throughout her years, Holiday perfected her own soulful sound of Jazz melodies. With her memorable vocals and successful hits including Fine and Mellow, Summertime and Strange Fruit, Billie was well aware of those prejudiced. However, the rough times in New York didn't stop her from becoming the first African American woman to involve herself in a predominantly white orchestra. In the same era was a funky soloist from the streets of East St. Louis, Miles "Prince of Darkness" Davis. In addition to a popular lifestyle of a modern bandleader and trumpeter his exploration of numerous musical directions carved Davis into what was, a praised legend. Even when influenced by the street temptations of New York City, the Prince of Darkness found that his set at the Newport Jazz Festival was more significant. As their legacies live on forever, every one of these incomparable musicians left behind an impassioned imprint on the heart of what is Jazz