How New York Became the Jazz Capital of America

Jazz is a popular type of music that developed from the styles of ragtime and blues. It consists of various elements, including extended harmony, improvisation, complex melodies. With many different styles of jazz, from Dixieland to Straight Ahead, musicians are able to express themselves in a variety of ways.

While jazz originated in New Orleans, it quickly spread its influence to other parts of the world. Due to its glitz and glamour, New York City became a mecca for jazz artists and is now considered the Jazz Capital of America.

The Movement of Jazz to New York City

Jazz originated in New Orleans in the early 1900s. African-American musicians developed jazz as a way of celebrating their heritage while fitting into American music. In the beginning, jazz and other styles of music were often used to entertain dancers throughout the city. While string bands had interested audiences throughout the 1800s, younger spectators craved something with a little more excitement. Jazz fit the bill with its improvisation and lively sounds. It began moving out of New Orleans around 1917. The reasons for their departures varied due to a combination of a vast flu epidemic, the shut down of the red-light district, and the desire for more lucrative work. Many jazz musicians also wanted to get out of the racial south, which led them to the Midwest city of Chicago.

The railroad system made it easy for those in the South to make the trek up North. The city of Chicago was enticing as it offered wealthy industries such as meatpacking and manufacturing. Chicago was also home to different types of people, allowing for more personal expression in the form of music. The South Side offered various clubs for jazz artists to perform in, creating sounds variating between Dixieland and Mississippi Delta styles.

In the 1920s jazz became less popular in the Windy City, and musicians began migrating to the Big Apple. The music of jazz in NYC was virtually nonexistent due to the city’s morality. However, this all changed in 1926 when Jimmy Walker was elected as mayor. Jimmy Walker allowed speakeasies; establishments that served bootlegged alcohol and had a propensity for free expression — the perfect place for jazz.

New York City and the Jazz Age

The 1920s became known as the Jazz Age. Artists such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong helped New York City become the place for music. This time in America was largely about music, with jazz becoming the genre of the decade.

Thanks to the excitement of the Big Apple and the variety of establishments in which to perform, NYC was known as the focus of the jazz world by 1930. With the end of prohibition in 1933, jazz clubs in NYC became the places to see and be seen, with visits from movie stars and celebrity guests.

Famous Jazz Clubs Over the Years

While speakeasies popped up all over the city, there were a couple that were considered to be the best jazz clubs in NYC; especially during the 1920s and 1930s. The Cotton Club was one such place. Owned by Owney Madden, a famous mobster, the club’s location in Harlem placed it right in the heart of jazz.

The Cotton Club only allowed white clientele, who were entertained by famous artists such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Adelaide Hall, Fletcher Henderson, Fats Waller, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, and Bessie Smith. The setting was meant to look like a plantation in the South, and the chorus girls had to be tall, under the age of 21 and light-skinned.

Duke Ellington was an influential artist for the club. He was asked to compose jungle-like music and recorded over 100 compositions for the club. It was due to his request that black customers were eventually allowed to enter and enjoy the music.

The Back Room was another well-known jazz club in NYC during the Jazz Age. It was popular with famous gangsters such as Bugsy Siegel and Lucky Luciano who would often use the club to conduct business, as it had multiple exits, allowing them to get away quickly in the event of a police raid.

Birdland’s Role in New York City Jazz

Birdland, another great jazz bar in NYC, opened its doors in 1949. Located on Broadway and 52nd Street, it was situated in an area considered to be the hotbed of jazz at the time. Birdland was named after Charlie Parker, whose nickname was Yardbird. As an alto saxophonist, he had an imaginative personality whose music inspired many.

One of the reasons Birdland remained a prominent fixture in the jazz world is because it offered triple bills and stayed open throughout the night. Over the years, performing artists at Birdland included:

• John Coltrane
• Dizzy Gillespie
• Miles Davis
• Thelonious Monk
• Stan Getz
• Lester Young
• Count Basie
• Symphony Sid Torin
• Bud Powell
• Erroll Garner

Thanks to its lineup of artists and ongoing entertainment, Birdland has been the destination of many celebrities over the years. However, with the emergence of rock and roll, the love of jazz declined. The original Birdland shut down in 1965 but then reopened its doors in 1986 at a new location in uptown Manhattan. While this location experienced the same success as the original, it eventually moved back to Midtown, making it the perfect destination for residents and tourists alike. Along with great musicians, Birdland offers delicious food in a beautiful setting.

The Influence of New York Jazz

Many of the artists from the early era of jazz are well-known; even to those who do not listen to much jazz. One such artist is Joey Alexander.

Alexander was born in Bali, Indonesia in 2003. At the young age of nine, he won a significant European competition, standing out over 43 other musicians. Recognizing his potential as a jazz pianist, his parents made the smart decision to move to New York as they understood it was the only city that could offer him the best.

By the age of only 14, Alexander has made four albums; two of them having been nominated for Grammy awards. During the televised awards show, Alexander performed and received a standing ovation.

Moving from Spain, Lara Bello found New York City to be the perfect place to work on her music. As a jazz composer and singer, she found it easier to make contacts with high-level Spanish music executives while living in the Big Apple than in Spain. So far, she has recorded four albums.

Melissa Aldana is another jazz artist for whom New York City has been rewarding. She moved to Boston from native Santiago, Chile in order to study music. She then moved to New York City in 2007. As a tenor saxophonist, she has experienced success. She won the Thelonious Monk Competition in 2013, being the first South American musician and first female artist to be a recipient of the prestigious award.

Aldana has since recorded four albums. Her latest one, Back Home, is considered one of the best releases of 2016, making her one of the world’s jazz stars. Even with New York’s challenges, Aldana met the right people necessary to make her dreams come true.

New York City Jazz Artists

Since New York City became the Jazz Capital of America, it has continued to challenge artists in a variety of ways. The expense of the city can be a big deterrent. Sky-high rent can make it difficult to afford, and space issues can make it difficult to practice or store instruments. However, despite these challenges, the city continues to excite and inspire musicians.

There is a sense of community with other jazz artists in New York, which is helpful in many ways. New York City also presents opportunities that are not available in other cities; even international ones. While competition can be fierce, the rewards are equally great. From record contracts to Grammy nominations, the city of New York presents unlimited potential for jazz artists.

Visit Birdland

To experience what jazz in New York City is all about, you need to visit a club that has been a part of its history. Birdland has been imperative in the success of many famous artists. Whether you are a resident of the Big Apple or are visiting for the first time, do yourself a favor and purchase tickets for an upcoming show. Located in Midtown, it is easily accessible and amongst the heart of the action.

Choose a seat in the jazz club or in the more intimate Birdland Theater. Both options offer food and beverages such as classic cocktails, beer, and wine. While the jazz club may not seem as risqué as it was back in the prohibition era, Birdland provides great jazz in the perfect setting. Whether you see a solo artist or a big group, you can rest assured you are part of a great musical environment.

Images: Laurentlesax, Lainspiratriz, Bill Dowling