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French and Spanish, catholic countries, allowed slaves to have and use drums - English and
protestant countries were much more concerned with converting slaves to Christianity,
and attempted to suppress African religious and spiritual traditions as much as possible.
Slaves preserved musical traditions from Africa through Field Hollers. Field Hollers were a
way of expressing feelings in the very restricted environment. Music was a way to express
pain and emotion generally despite the dire circumstances.
Music and African religious traditions were actively preserved when possible, although it
was seldom possible.
After the end of slavery, some African-influenced music and spiritual traditions were
transferred into Christian church services that helped build community
African Americans would secretly perform Cake Walks a practice of imitating and making
fun of whites. One of the few ways African Americans had to express emotion
After the Civil War, battlefield instruments were readily available and beagn to be adopted
by newly free African Americans. They were also used during dances and musical events in
Congo Square.
While marching bands lost mass-appeal at the turn of the 20th century, New Orleans
embraced the format.
Gutbucket musicians and Middle Class Creole musicians were forced to interact in New
Orleans and this blending helped spawn jazz. Music came to have a deep social function,
during funerals, weddings, life events
The Volstead Act instated prohibition and gave control over bars (speakeasies) and liquor-
selling establishments to the mob and organized crime
Juneteenth date after which Texas slaves we released, 2 years after the emancipation
proclamation
Al Capone ruled Chicago in the 1920s and helped underground liquor and entertainment
thrive under his bloody mob operation. Performing in Chicago required mob permission.
Musicians moved to Chicago to escape the racist south.
Jazz Age A rebellious time for America, more sexual, social, and entretainment liberties
were taken
Karnofsky Family Jewish family that financially and emotionally supported Armstrong
during his early years, bought him his first cornet.