The good thing about great music is that it doesn’t have an expiration date. Jazz music found its origins in 1917 but it wasn’t until the 1920s that the music genre really found its footing.
From then on, jazz music has taken over the world. Spreading far and wide, the rhythmic musical style never lost its appeal. In fact, even a hundred years after its Golden Era first started, the sound of jazz is a vital part of our society.
As one of the leading jazz bands in North Texas, Razzmajazz Dixieland Band knows this all too well. We’ve been bringing our lively Swing and New Orleans Traditional Jazz performances to events all over the region since 1984!
So, what makes jazz music such an inextricable aspect of our lives even today? You’ll have to venture beyond just what the ears can hear—the impact of jazz is everywhere around you.
Literature
Among the various art forms that have persisted over the centuries, literature is a prime example. The excitable atmosphere of 1920s America was all about evolution, change, and independence—and literary works captured that essence perfectly.
One of the greatest literary works of all time, in fact, was heavily influenced by the Jazz Age and all its wonders. The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece is a great example of jazz’s influence on literature.
As jazz’s popularity increased, poetry also evolved. Both of these art forms came together to form jazz poetry, a quintessentially American literary form.
Society
The 1920s were a tumultuous time for the social fabric of America. The war had just ended and the feelings of celebrations were all around. As the world around them evolved, the people sought a better life of economic prosperity and freedom.
Since jazz emerged as a voice of freedom and change, it challenged many of the traditions of America. Heavily influenced by African American music, jazz made it a popular—and desirable—aspect of American society. Not only was there greater recognition of the multicultural elements of America, jazz also allowed women an outlet to express themselves.
The mediums of song, dance, and fashion that came with jazz changed the lives of Americans all around the country. It’s a change that continues to exist even today.
Fashion
Since jazz music was initially associated with social change, it enabled different aspects of American culture to evolve. One of these was fashion.
Pre-1920s American fashion, particularly for women, was heavily influenced by Victorian styles. These styles didn’t go well with the danceable jazz music and lively dance moves that accompanied it.
As the times changed in the Jazz Age, the fashion industry kept pace with styles such as sequined flapper dresses, more form-fitting clothing, and shorter hairstyles.
The Jazz Age took the world by a storm, its effects continue to be seen even today. Music was one of the most prominent ways it changed the tide of the times, with jazz music just as popular today.
Celebrate a hundred years to the Jazz Age by hiring a Swing or New Orleans Jazz Band for your upcoming events. Razzmajazz Dixieland Band performs at wedding receptions, corporate events, and grand openings.
We’re keeping the essence of the Roaring Twenties alive in 2020. Listen to our extensive repertoire of some of the most popular songs of the time by getting our CD.
If you’d like to hire a jazz band to perform, contact us for more information.
Our Past Performances
Our jazz band has performed at various types of events of all sizes all over North Texas and the Metroplex Areas since 1984. Some of the organizers of these events are:
- Dallas Museum of Art
- Junior League of Arlington
- Mira Vista Country Club
- Anheuser-Busch
- Globe Life Park
- Six Flags Over Texas
- Aerospace Optics
- North American Society of First Responders
- Park Suites Hotel
- Pecan Street Arts Festival – Arlington
- Brinker International
- St Alban’s Parish – Anglican
- Walnut Creek Country Club
- Fort Worth Boat Club
- Denton Arts and Jazz Festival
- Worth Cattledrive Rest.
- Richland Pointe Mall
- Main Street Arts Festival – Fort Worth
- Plano Firefighters Assoc.
- Case Power and Equipment
- Mesquite Exchange Club
- Fielder Road Baptist Church
- IBM
- National Semiconductor
- Law Offices of Windle Turley
- Children’s Medical Center
- Dallas Mavericks
- Texas Rangers
- Anatole Hotel
- Albertson’s Food Stores