Imagine
yourself in a museum, a Blues and Jazz museum. Feel the rhythm, feel the
music. Take a stroll through the world-renowned gallery featuring exclusive,
momentous works of art. There are impressive and humbling images of Mamie
Smith, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Oliver, Billie
Holiday, Charlie Parker, Ray Charles, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Etta James,
Stevie Wonder, Johnnie Taylor and all the others who represent an ensemble
of the greatest talent that have walked with us through American history.
Stand in front of an original 18th century phonograph player with
a horn the size of tuba, listen to it play an original recording. Stroll
along a classic 19th century piano that was played at Storyville
to entertain it notorious guest, or another grand piano that brought wild
temptations at Chicago speakeasies. Look at vintage photography of the
American people, look into their eyes, feel their smiles, feel the anguish,
feel the celebration, feel the triumph, feel their lives. See the faces of
men, women and children while they sing and dance to a new sound. This
sound is like no other, for it is a sound, which captivated a nation and
gave culture to its people. It is a sound for the poor and rich, for the
peasant and the President. It is a sound that cultivated freedom and life
to the cities.
Visit the vibrant streets of New Orleans, Chicago, San Francisco, St. Louis, New York, Memphis and D.C. The glaring street lights, classic cars, hats and feathers, Zoot suits and satin dresses, the haze hovering above crossing the moonlight, which illuminates the magnificent glow of downtown clubs. You are viewing artifacts from the original American art form.
As you leave
the museum gallery, enter the concert hall.
You
are attending a live concert, a Blues and Jazz concert. Listen to the
mellow moods created as the trumpet collides with the saxophone, and waltz
with the trombone, all at the bass of an offbeat drum. Or the gentleman who
flicks his fingers at light speed as he glides them over the shiny ebony and
ivory keys. Or the young women who serenades an old romantic lullaby that
brings a tingle down your spine. Or an eccentric youth gripping the six
strings as the sound of the guitar chases midnight dreams and turns the
moonlight blue. Or an ensemble of youth perfectly improvising a jazz
orchestra.
Look
at the light gleam on the musicians faces and witness the amazing
display of precision and dedication that magnifies individualism and
expression. Feel the power, feel the mystic beats, feel the enlightenment.
As you stand and gaze in awe of such historical precedence, an overwhelming
warmness fills your heart. Not only did you enjoy the fascinating
experience; you were actually part of something much bigger. You have
personally contributed to the continuous effort in the
preservation of culture and humanities.
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to our dream of The San Francisco Blues & Jazz Museum. This grand museum is like no other and is unmatched in all respects-this revolutionary facility will have multiple operations. It will be a grand museum, concert hall, educational institution, art gallery, recording arts studio and social haven. In essence the facility is designed to preserve Blues & Jazz, provide performing arts education for the underprivileged children, assist elder musicians and contribute to the wholesomeness of society.
Before
1850 Folk music based on African forms.White dance and band music.Circa
1850 Plantation songs sung by slaves.
Minstrelsy was white music meant to copy plantation songs.
During the Civil War
Slave Songs of the United States published by William Francis Allen,
Charles Pickford Ware and Lucy McKim Garrison.
Slave Songs of the Georgia Sea Islands published by Lydia Parrish.
After the Civil War
Prison songs.
Late
1800's
Blues develops and is complete by 1910. During the1890's Ragtime develops and is the most popular music in America between
1900 and
1911.
Early 1900's Marching band music, Ragtime and the Blues begin
to be fused into early Jazz roots.
1910 - 1920 Jazz is born in New Orleans via a combination of black and
Creole music. 1920's
New Orleans Jazz is the thing. The Jazz Age is born.
1930's
Swing is king and this is the only time thatJazz and popular are the same thing.1940's
Bebop is born. It is later called simply Bop. 1950's
Hard Bop or Funk and Cool Jazz take over. 1960's
Modal and Free Jazz find followers. 1970's
Jazz fuses with one of its derivatives (Rock) to form Jazz-Rock or Fusion.
1980's Contemporary Jazz age begins. 1990's Hip-Hop and other forms emerge. Hard Bop revival.
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