The origins of jazz history began some four hundred years ago in the 1600s. At this time,
The origins of jazz history began some four hundred years ago in the 1600s. At this time,

England, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, competed with each other to control the slave
England, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, competed with each other to control the slave

trade. Millions of Africans, mostly from Ghana, Toga, Benin, and Nigeria: captured and transported
trade. Millions of Africans, mostly from Ghana, Toga, Benin, and Nigeria: captured and transported

away from their families and homelands. They were taken to the Caribbean Islands and Spanish
away from their families and homelands. They were taken to the Caribbean Islands and Spanish

colonies in Central and South America and later to British North America. Slaves were
colonies in Central and South America and later to British North America. Slaves were

then sold, then forced to work, often in atrocious and inhuman conditions, treated merely as
then sold, then forced to work, often in atrocious and inhuman conditions, treated merely as

possessions. They were no longer free people. They were often beaten, and frequently died
possessions. They were no longer free people. They were often beaten, and frequently died

from overwork. Because the slaves had come from different countries of origin in Africa,
from overwork. Because the slaves had come from different countries of origin in Africa,

they spoke many different languages and had ethnic traditions and beliefs. They also came
they spoke many different languages and had ethnic traditions and beliefs. They also came

from countries in which musical traditions were very diverse and had a long history.
from countries in which musical traditions were very diverse and had a long history.

By 1750, there were a large number of African slaves in British North America: 240,000 people,
By 1750, there were a large number of African slaves in British North America: 240,000 people,

almost 20% of the population. There was also a small population of free black Americans,
almost 20% of the population. There was also a small population of free black Americans,

many of whom lived in the state of Maryland. The slaves used to work on sugar, cotton,
many of whom lived in the state of Maryland. The slaves used to work on sugar, cotton,

and tobacco plantations, while the British owners made huge amounts of money selling
and tobacco plantations, while the British owners made huge amounts of money selling

the various crops. With the profits they made, they were then able to buy newly invented
the various crops. With the profits they made, they were then able to buy newly invented

machinery for their factories in England and made further amounts of money there too. By
machinery for their factories in England and made further amounts of money there too. By

the end of the 1790s, European slave ships each year would bring in as great a number
the end of the 1790s, European slave ships each year would bring in as great a number

as 50,000 enslaved Africans to America. In the city of New Orleans, founded in 1780,
as 50,000 enslaved Africans to America. In the city of New Orleans, founded in 1780,

which was controlled by the French, not the British, free mixed-race people called Creoles
which was controlled by the French, not the British, free mixed-race people called Creoles

lived alongside white people and slaves. These were the children of the French white slave
lived alongside white people and slaves. These were the children of the French white slave

masters and his slaves, African women. They were often educated in the finest schools,
masters and his slaves, African women. They were often educated in the finest schools,

trained as musicians, and allowed to live in white society. Many of the French slave
trained as musicians, and allowed to live in white society. Many of the French slave

owners would free their slaves, especially the Creole children only just before the slave
owners would free their slaves, especially the Creole children only just before the slave

owners themselves were going to die. However, when the Spanish took over New Orleans in
owners themselves were going to die. However, when the Spanish took over New Orleans in

1764, the Creoles lost all their rights and were forced to look for work. Many became
1764, the Creoles lost all their rights and were forced to look for work. Many became

traveling musicians and some of these musicians and their descendants, it's thought that some
traveling musicians and some of these musicians and their descendants, it's thought that some

of the roots of jazz were born. In the plantations, the slaves sang spirituals, work songs, and
of the roots of jazz were born. In the plantations, the slaves sang spirituals, work songs, and

blues. The traveling musicians performed in their places. In the early 1900s, ragtime
blues. The traveling musicians performed in their places. In the early 1900s, ragtime

music and New Orleans jazz laterally known as Dixieland jazz, developed from the fusion
music and New Orleans jazz laterally known as Dixieland jazz, developed from the fusion

of the blues, the spirituals, and various European music. This magical quality kept
of the blues, the spirituals, and various European music. This magical quality kept

the hearts of millions of Americans, both black and white, alike. Pioneers like pianist
the hearts of millions of Americans, both black and white, alike. Pioneers like pianist

composer Scott Joplin, known as the king of ragtime, pianist Jelly Roll Morton, blues
composer Scott Joplin, known as the king of ragtime, pianist Jelly Roll Morton, blues

singer Ma Rainey, and composer W. C. Handy who fathered blues music, paved a road on
singer Ma Rainey, and composer W. C. Handy who fathered blues music, paved a road on

which many others would travel. Joplin's sheet music was sold to millions of Americans who
which many others would travel. Joplin's sheet music was sold to millions of Americans who

wanted to play it on their pianos in their homes. Scott Joplin became the first African-American
wanted to play it on their pianos in their homes. Scott Joplin became the first African-American

to be a famous celebrity performer. Although slavery had been abolished by now, between
to be a famous celebrity performer. Although slavery had been abolished by now, between

1910 and 1940, nearly two million African-Americans left their homes in the southern states of
1910 and 1940, nearly two million African-Americans left their homes in the southern states of

America to look for work and to get away from the harsh racism there. They moved to the
America to look for work and to get away from the harsh racism there. They moved to the

northern industrial cities like Chicago and New York. As they traveled north, they brought
northern industrial cities like Chicago and New York. As they traveled north, they brought

with them their new jazz music. Some of the stars of that time, trumpet player Louis Armstrong,
with them their new jazz music. Some of the stars of that time, trumpet player Louis Armstrong,

from New Orleans, and the sound of a gem Bix Beiderbecke, one of the great clarinet players.
from New Orleans, and the sound of a gem Bix Beiderbecke, one of the great clarinet players.

(jazz music) During the 1920s, African-American music became
(jazz music) During the 1920s, African-American music became

very popular. One of the most famous performers was blues singer Bessie Smith. She was the
very popular. One of the most famous performers was blues singer Bessie Smith. She was the

first blues singer to be recorded and her records sold to both black and white Americans
first blues singer to be recorded and her records sold to both black and white Americans

alike. (blues music)
alike. (blues music)

During this time, alcohol was made illegal in America and secret clubs called speakeasies
During this time, alcohol was made illegal in America and secret clubs called speakeasies

were originally set up in the black area of New York known as Harlem. In these speakeasies,
were originally set up in the black area of New York known as Harlem. In these speakeasies,

both black and white people drank and dance and listened to bands playing jazz. The most
both black and white people drank and dance and listened to bands playing jazz. The most

famous of these band leaders were Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington.
famous of these band leaders were Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington.

(jazz music) The 1930s, generally
(jazz music) The 1930s, generally

known as the swing era, much of white America loved the jazz music they heard on their radios.
known as the swing era, much of white America loved the jazz music they heard on their radios.

An example of this would be the big band, clarinetist Benny Goodman. Goodman was an
An example of this would be the big band, clarinetist Benny Goodman. Goodman was an

important figure, not only for his music contributions, but due to his insistence in using both black
important figure, not only for his music contributions, but due to his insistence in using both black

and white musicians in his band. At this time, this was virtually unheard of and to most
and white musicians in his band. At this time, this was virtually unheard of and to most

bands consisted of using exclusively either black or white musicians. Jazz music of this
bands consisted of using exclusively either black or white musicians. Jazz music of this

era became popular in Britain during World War II due to the presence of American soldiers
era became popular in Britain during World War II due to the presence of American soldiers

and armed forces. In addition to the music, they bought into the dances like the Lindy
and armed forces. In addition to the music, they bought into the dances like the Lindy

Hop and British people fell in love with the dance music of the Glenn Miller band, which
Hop and British people fell in love with the dance music of the Glenn Miller band, which

was heavily jazz-influenced. Meanwhile, back in America, the Count Basie and Duke Ellington
was heavily jazz-influenced. Meanwhile, back in America, the Count Basie and Duke Ellington

orchestras, as well as radio broadcasts, turned the country and sold millions of records.
orchestras, as well as radio broadcasts, turned the country and sold millions of records.

During the 1940s and '50s, many jazz musicians had become well known and traveled around
During the 1940s and '50s, many jazz musicians had become well known and traveled around

the world. Jazz had now developed into a lot more complicated form of (inaudible) music,
the world. Jazz had now developed into a lot more complicated form of (inaudible) music,

generally known as bebop. This musical revolution was mostly developed by young black jazz musicians
generally known as bebop. This musical revolution was mostly developed by young black jazz musicians

such as trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and saxophonist Charlie Parker in New York City. The developments
such as trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and saxophonist Charlie Parker in New York City. The developments

of the new music included complex rhythms, further harmonies, and improvisation. The
of the new music included complex rhythms, further harmonies, and improvisation. The

musicians, often called beboppers, also created their own slang, clothes, and a lifestyle
musicians, often called beboppers, also created their own slang, clothes, and a lifestyle

not unlike hip hop today. (trumpet jazz music)
not unlike hip hop today. (trumpet jazz music)

Since the 1950s and '60s, jazz has gone through many changes. Some of the great musicians
Since the 1950s and '60s, jazz has gone through many changes. Some of the great musicians

like Miles Davis and John Coltrane who helped developed music through post-bop. Developments
like Miles Davis and John Coltrane who helped developed music through post-bop. Developments

such as hard bop, cool jazz, mode jazz... all of these were generally known as modern
such as hard bop, cool jazz, mode jazz... all of these were generally known as modern

jazz. (jazz music)
jazz. (jazz music)

This then led to leaps of other forms of music such as rock, Latin American music, Indian,
This then led to leaps of other forms of music such as rock, Latin American music, Indian,

and African. (jazz music)
and African. (jazz music)

Jazz has also influenced pop music, hip hop, and R&B. It is found all around the world
Jazz has also influenced pop music, hip hop, and R&B. It is found all around the world

from Cuba to India, even returning to its roots in Africa.
from Cuba to India, even returning to its roots in Africa.

(hip hop music) Jazz has many heroes and heroines, too many
(hip hop music) Jazz has many heroes and heroines, too many

to mention. And in all its forms is now as diverse as Africa itself.
to mention. And in all its forms is now as diverse as Africa itself.