New Orleans is the
birthplace of jazz! Why? Because it is the only city with such diversity and as
many mosquitos. It is a melting pot of people and cultures, and culture
includes music. Gioia offers many convincing reasons for why New Orleans is
praised for its historical jazz roots, but its diversity is the most prominent
feature. The diversity paired with horrible conditions created the historical
musicians who come from New Orleans. Each influence can be connected to the
impression the diversity had on the city. The mixing of cultures date back to
the slave trade, some of these roots are said emerged from African roots,
mainly because slaves were allowed to participate in playing the drums. They
were even allocated a space to perform, called the Congo Square. The collision
of African heritage and European music created the Blues, which has influence
on Jazz. Similar to the Blues, Jazz is mainly centered around
African-Americans, however it originates from a mixture of music. French, Spanish, African, White, and other
ethnicities immigrated to New Orleans, and doubled the population in a short
amount of time, and each had its own influence. The mixture of music worked together to create
jazz. The legislative code of Louisiana of 1894 also contributes to the melting
pot by forcing Creole people to be closer to Blacks by placing them in the same
category. Now New Orleans had a party of people, because the mortality rates
gave the people a certain appreciation for the fun in life; traditions of
celebrations arose. Due to the mixture of culture there were also many venues
within small proximities of one another. There were many operas in New Orleans,
along with venues for dancing, ragtime, and other music. The church gave
inspiration because singing and instrument use were common in the black
church. Hard times and diversity manifested itself within the music and allowed
for the development of historical figures such as Buddy Bolden. He is a major contribution on the behalf of New Orleans. Jazz emerged inNew Orleans because it was the only place with all the necessary attributes. Only in a melting pot.
