The Early Days of Jazz

Welcome to episode five in the American Song podcast.The early days of jazz were full of exploration, invention, and creativity.  It was a time of fluid exchanges in the music world between blacks and whites, even if it was only seldom happening anywhere else.Jazz rose up from Congo Square in New Orleans, which was a culturally rich gumbo of sounds, rhythms and movement produced by people whose origins were from far away places.  Spanish, French, English, African and Native Americans all contributed to this musical feast to create an art that could only have happened here.In this episode, you'll learn about some of the earliest jazz musicians who made a lasting impact, influencing and shaping the music for many decades to come.  You'll also hear and experience some of those great early songs, as well as hear directly from a few of the musicians that made the music possible.  As they say in New Orleans, ""Laissez les bon temps rouler!"  Let the good times roll!Track ListDuke Ellington RemembersJelly Roll Morton RembersSt. James Infirmary - Buddy Bolden Jelly Roll Morton & His Red Hot Peppers - Dr. JazzJames P.  Bolden - You've Got to Be ModernisticArchie Shepp Remembers Sidney BechetSidney Bechet - Strange FruitRockin' Chair - Bix BiederbeckeLouis Armstrong Remembers Bix BiederbeckeSt.  Louis Blues - the Paul Whiteman OrchestraBasin Street Blues - Louis ArmstrongWhen You're Young the Whole World Smiles With You - Louis Armstrong