Almanac Music: More New Orleans – How the term jazz originated

 

For many, music is the heart and soul of New Orleans. Its unique musical heritage is an amalgam of sounds derived from European musical instruments and the rhythms introduced by African slaves to America from their homelands to give birth to the distinctive sound of jazz.

 

Music first brought me to New Orleans and continues to do so.

 

New Orleans is the home of jazz, but have you ever wondered  how the name ‘jazz’ originated?

 

The Spotted Cat

 

As I walked the streets of the French Quarter, visiting many of the clubs there, in particular The Spotted Cat on Frenchman Street where a more traditional form of jazz is played, I often pondered that question about the origins of the term ‘jazz’.

 

Is this ‘The House of the Rising Sun’?

 

It was not until a guided walking tour of the French Quarter that I finally discovered its origins, whether it is true or not, I don’t know but it sounded very convincing to me. I am conscious of the fact in New Orleans there is a plethora of stories gathered about local legends such as ‘The House of the Rising Sun’ – all convincingly told, and sworn by the teller to be genuine! At least a dozen genuine establishments named ‘House of the Rising Sun’ have been pointed out to me at various times during my travels throughout the Quarter and surrounding districts! So one must take some stories with a grain of salt!

 

Back to the naming of the term jazz.

 

According to our tour guide, in the red-light district of Storyville, the madams hired musicians to entertain guests and workers in their establishments. There, the musicians found the freedom and opportunity to experiment with their music to create new sounds, while at the same time developing the beginnings of the new and early forms of music we now term and regard as jazz. Those early forms are referred to as ‘Traditional’, ‘Storyville’, and ‘Dixieland’ jazz, and it is from those early beginnings the many genres of jazz we now know today  evolved from. The musicians knew they were creating something special with this new genre of music and needed to appropriately name the style to distinguish the musical form from others. The musicians were often criticised for playing in ‘houses of ill-repute’amongst the heathens and the jezebels. The ladies of the night found the music an enjoyable distraction from their work. When asked where they played their music the musicians responded by stating they played for the ‘jezzies’, as the jezebels were known, in the red-light districts. In time, the word jezzies morphed into jazz.

 

It’s a cracking story and I’m sticking with it!

 

 

 

 

Music is everywhere in the French Quarter. Most street corners and covetted street spots are awash with individuals and groups at all hours of the day playing primarily traditional forms of early jazz. The performers are very good and can earn substantial money from tips and sales of CDs. Surprisingly, well credential players also busk on the streets such as Tuba Skinny. It is not too hard to linger longer than intended because the music is so inviting and good, though there is a lot of pressure by the players to tip and buy CDs.

 

But it is not all jazz. Within the Quarter there are many clubs particularly around the well known streets and touristy areas such as Bourbon Street. Bourbon Street is very glitzy and has become quite trashy and sleazy but the street is crowded everynight with mainly visitors looking for a good time and music. There are dozens and dozens of bars and clubs around Bourbon Street. Bars, bands and performers create a loud cacophony of sounds competing against one another for the custom of the crowds in the street. Spruikers abound tempting potential customers with their spiels. Most of the music in these clubs is more of a commercial nature, rocky and bluesy, and generally fairly well-known songs played well but not a true reflection of the New Orleans sound.

 

To experience the true sounds of New Orleans, for me you need to venture to Frenchman Street and surrounding precincts to hear and appreciate the true musical spirit New Orleans is known for. Clubs and bars such as The Spotted Cat, The Blue Nile, D.B.A’s, Snug Harbour are  a few who offer more of the traditional musical style of New Orleans.

 

 

Some of the more traditional sounds of New Orleans

 

 

 

More from Col Ritchie can be read Here

 

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