Final answer:
Avant garde musicians, like Arnold Schoenberg, were characterized by their innovative approaches to jazz and classical music, incorporating atonality and new rhythmic structures. Additionally, the rise of jazz reflected the autonomy of black musicians, creating a music style that mirrored the unique experiences of African American communities. These composers often saw their music as contributing to society beyond mere entertainment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Musicians associated with the "avant garde" often had perspectives on jazz performance and composition that were innovative and pushed the boundaries of traditional music. Their work involved altering the familiar scales, notes, and rhythms to create something that defied listeners' expectations, which were largely based on the western music tradition since the Renaissance. Arnold Schoenberg is a prime example, with his experimentation with atonality and introduction of the twelve-tone scale, deliberately introducing dissonance and unexpected notes into his compositions. These avant garde musicians saw their role as defying convention and often believed their music served a broader societal purpose beyond mere entertainment.
Furthermore, the independence of black musicians in the early 20th century led to the creation of new styles, such as jazz, that reflected the experiences of life in African American communities. They created music with an up-tempo beat, improvised solos, and bold rhythms and harmonies. This music was transformative, often transferring different styles such as the blues, and it was characterized by unique chords and "blue" notes. These developments were part of a broader context in which the avant garde was associated with political activism, especially within socialist and communist movements, or focused on aesthetics independent of politics.