New York City, often called the city that never sleeps, is always buzzing with music. If you’re a music enthusiast looking for amazing jazz bars in New York, you’ve come to the right place. This article will provide you with valuable information to explore the most unique and high-quality live music venues in this vibrant city.
The Enduring Charm of Jazz
Jazz, a refined and improvisational genre, holds a special place in the hearts of music lovers. With its intricate rhythms and continuous evolution, jazz is not just music but a true artistic experience. In New York, you can find numerous jazz bars and clubs, each with its unique style and personality.
Understanding Jazz
Jazz is a distinctive American music genre with a worldwide influence. Music researchers agree that the initial influences of jazz originated after the American Civil War when freed slaves had the opportunity to move freely and spread African cultural heritage. They performed at various venues, including hotels, restaurants, clubs, dance halls, and even entertainment districts.
Jazz is a unique fusion of multiple elements:
- Spirituals and work songs: Familiar melodies from the lives of slaves working in the fields.
- Syncopation of ragtime: Freshness and innovation in rhythm.
- Marching band sound and brass instruments: Grandeur and magnificence.
- The mournful and melancholic tone of blues: Deep emotional expressions.
One of the first “jass” bands was led by trombonist Tom Brown. Initially, “jass” was a crude slang word linked to the jasmine scent in entertainment quarters. By the late 1910s, in New York, the term was altered to “jazz” to avoid undesirable misunderstandings.
The basic instruments of jazz include the fiddle, banjo, and drums. By the 1890s, the upright bass or cello and cornet joined the lineup. By the early 20th century, trombone and clarinet replaced the fiddle, sometimes complemented by the tuba “brass bass.”
The fiddle, akin to the violin, is used in Western classical music and affectionately referred to as the violin. In America, “fiddle” often denotes the violin in traditional Irish-Scottish-French music and American genres like Appalachian, bluegrass, and Cajun.
Jazz originated around 1895 in New Orleans, combining ragtime, brass marching bands, and blues. What sets jazz apart is the improvisational style where multiple instruments improvise simultaneously, breaking away from Western musical traditions where artists usually read sheet music and accurately recreate notes. In jazz, songs often serve as references for artists to improvise freely.
Key Periods in Jazz Development
To better understand jazz’s diversity, let’s explore the main developmental stages of this music genre:
Blues (Late 19th Century to Present)
Blues emerged in the 19th century in the South, evolving from the songs of slaves and sharecroppers working under the hot sun or singing and dancing in ceremonies. As African Americans learned European instruments, the guitar became popular, boosting the development of blues style. Blues chord progressions are usually 12-bar cycles, accompanied by the Blue note—a note sung or played at a slightly lower pitch than the major scale, evoking feelings of sorrow and longing.
Blues musicians performing
While blues developed parallel to jazz in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, jazz artists incorporated many blues elements into jazz, especially the 12-bar chord progression.
Notable Artists:
- W.C. Handy: Considered the father of the blues, pioneering the bringing of blues to the public.
- Huddie “Lead Belly” Leadbetter: Composed many timeless blues songs widely covered.
- Bessie Smith: Vocalist whose style deeply influenced future generations of jazz vocalists.
Ragtime (1895 – 1918)
Ragtime originated with African American pianists playing in nightclubs and dance clubs. Its standout feature is syncopation, emphasizing off-beats and/or the two and four beats. Between 1905 and 1915, many classically trained African American artists found themselves playing ragtime in bars, clubs, or brothels due to scarce job opportunities.
Notable Artist:
- Scott Joplin: The “King of Ragtime.”
New Orleans Jazz (Dixieland Jazz) (1900-1920)
New Orleans jazz emerged from marching bands in New Orleans, with cornet as the lead instrument. Bands combined ragtime’s rhythm and blues’ string-bending techniques. Typical New Orleans jazz bands were small, with a front line of cornet/trumpet, clarinet, trombone, and a rhythm section featuring at least two of the following: banjo, upright bass, drums, or piano. Collective improvisation was common, and solo performances were complemented by other instruments.
New Orleans Jazz gained popularity with the rise of gramophone records. Many New Orleans jazz artists moved to Chicago and New York during migration periods to open gramophone record shops. A landmark of this era was the infamous Storyville district, where pianist Jelly Roll Morton launched his career playing in saloons and brothels.
Notable Artists:
- Buddy Bolden: Inventor of the “Big Four” rhythm, laying the foundation for modern jazz and improvisation.
- Joe “King” Oliver: Band leader and cornet player, pioneering mute techniques.
- Jelly Roll Morton: First jazz composer, eased ragtime’s syncopation into jazz “swing.”
- Dixieland Jazz Band: An all-white band, the first to record jazz, promoting it within the white American community.
Swing and the Big Band Era (1930-1945)
By the 1930s, jazz primarily garnered interest from a unique American subculture. The Great Depression left many jazz bands unemployed, with musicians costing pennies. This led a few key figures to form large orchestras or big bands.
Jazz transitioned from heavy syncopation to a smoother, more relaxed genre called swing. Derived from dance music, swing inspired many dances like the Lindy Hop and Jitterbug.
Notable Artists:
- Fletcher Henderson: Created swing’s formula, establishing one of the first big bands.
- Benny Goodman: Known as the King of Swing, popularized jazz among white Americans.
- Count Basie: Pianist and band leader known for a laid-back playing style.
- Duke Ellington: An influential voice in the Big Band era.
- Cab Calloway: Bandleader and vocalist, famous for “Jive talk” and “hep hep, hi di hi di hos.”
Tips for Finding Jazz Live Music Bars in New York
- Online Search: Use search engines and review websites like Google Maps, Yelp, Time Out New York to find live jazz music bars nearby.
- Local Recommendations: Ask friends, colleagues, or hotel staff for honest and reliable suggestions.
- Explore Popular Areas: Some areas of New York, like Greenwich Village, Harlem, and the Lower East Side, are known for jazz bars.
- Check Performance Schedules: Most jazz bars have online schedules. Check in advance to ensure you don’t miss a performance by your favorite artist.
- Read Reviews: Read reviews from reputable sources for insight into the music quality, ambiance, and service of the bar.
Conclusion
New York is a paradise for jazz enthusiasts. With countless live music bars and clubs, you can easily find a venue that suits your taste and budget. Take your time to explore and experience the richness of jazz in this lively city. Are you ready to discover amazing jazz tunes in New York?