Louis Armstrong – Basin Street Blues

                                        Jazz historian Al Rose defined jazz as “two or more musical voices improvising collectively in two-four or four-four time on any known melody and ‘syncopating.’ ” Though this definition does not include soloists like Louis Armstrong, it describes the creative freedom of this style that centered and flourished on the streets of New Orleans.

Tuba Skinny New Orleans Hot Jazz Band perform at Barbes Bro

New Orleans Jazz has a swinging, stomping, syncopated beat that makes you want to dance! It also has a simple melodic quality.

Congo Street – [The Nevile Brothers]

Congo Square In 1764, when the Spanish took over New Orleans, the Creoles needed work, which led to many of them becoming traveling musicians. These musicians were the inventors of early jazz, through their expression of African dancing and music. On Sundays, they would gather on a grassy plain on the northwestern edge of the city, where slaves were allowed to dance. This area became known as the Congo Square because of the use of African cultural elements and dances.

For more information on New Orleans Jazz Styles

Each Tuesday, Frizz, is walking us through the alphabet A – Z. This week is the Letter N