With every rhythm and tune, jazz tells a story of struggle, power, and passion. It’s the sound of freedom and joy, with every upbeat tune inspiring feelings of happiness and exciting you to get on your feet.
Jazz is a versatile genre of music that developed in the United States over this past century, celebrating its golden age in the Roaring 20s.
Following in the legacy of jazz legends, Razzmajazz Dixieland Band of North Texas has been bringing high-energy New Orleans traditional and Swing Jazz to music lovers. Performing at a variety of events since 1984, we’ve provided a mix of some of the greatest eras of jazz—the ‘20s, ‘30s, ‘40s, and ‘50s.
The influence of African-American culture on the development of jazz is undeniable. Inspired by drumming traditions and dance, the genre is heavily influenced by a celebration of the rich African history.
It’s no wonder, then, that jazz plays such a key role in the celebration of Kwanzaa every year. Here’s everything you need to know about it:
What is Kwanzaa?
This is an annual celebration of Black heritage, community, and family that takes place at the end of each year. Observed between December 26th and January 1st, the celebration honors the rich history and is rooted in seven core principles. These are:
- Unity
- Self-Determination
- Collective Responsibility and Work
- Cooperative Economics
- Purpose
- Creativity
- Faith
A collection of soul foods, energetic music, and nostalgia for the generations passed, Kwanzaa is the perfect way to appreciate the things gone by.
Celebrating with jazz
New Orleans’ unique position as the birthplace of jazz ties it inextricably with the African-American culture and history. The New Orleans traditional and Swing styles of jazz offer the perfect way to bring people from all walks of life together.
Any celebration of African culture and heritage would be incomplete without valuing its immense contribution to jazz. Musical legends, like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, lent their talent to the art form we now know as jazz.
If you’re looking to celebrate Kwanzaa with your friends, family, and people around you, the best way to do so would be with a jazz performance. The high-energy, engaging performance of a live jazz band can get the crowd on their feet and swinging to the rhythmic tunes.
Jazz offers the perfect way to celebrate a sense of unity and cohesion amongst a community that’s living in diaspora. Whether you hire a band to play traditional New Orleans and Swing Jazz or play their music in your home throughout the week, it’s bound to stir up feelings of pride, passion, and celebration.
For this year’s Kwanzaa celebrations, book one of North Texas’ leading New Orleans traditional and Swing jazz bands, Razzmajazz Dixieland Band. We’ve got over 35 years of experience playing for a variety of audiences; our interactive performances are complete with costumes and a range of instruments.
Buy our CDs to get a taste of our extensive repertoire of New Orleans traditional and Swing jazz music or contact us to book our Swing Jazz band today.
About Our Past Performances
Our band has performed at various events—including weddings, corporate events, intimate dinners, and other celebrations—over 35 years.
Some of the organizers of these performances are:
- Six Flags Over Texas
- Denton Arts and Jazz Festival
- North American Society of First Responders
- Anatole Hotel
- Pecan Street Arts Festival – Arlington
- Fort Worth Boat Club
- Globe Life Park
- Fielder Road Baptist Church
- Plano Firefighters Assoc.
- Law Offices of Windle Turley
- St Alban’s Parish – Anglican
- National Semiconductor
- Children’s Medical Center
- Main Street Arts Festival – Fort Worth
- IBM
- Brinker International
- Walnut Creek Country Club
- Dallas Museum of Art
- Anheuser-Busch
- Texas Rangers
- Mesquite Exchange Club
- Aerospace Optics
- Albertson’s Food Stores
- Richland Pointe Mall
- Junior League of Arlington
- Ft. Worth Cattledrive Rest.
- Park Suites Hotel
- Dallas Mavericks
- Case Power and Equipment
- Mira Vista Country Club