Final answer:
The vocal music of uptown blacks in New Orleans was characterized by traditional African rhythms, the use of blue notes, and a defining jazz influence, which gave rise to genres like jazz and blues, particularly during the Harlem Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vocal music of uptown blacks in New Orleans was distinguished by a variety of characteristics that were heavily influenced by their African heritage and the social landscape of the time. This music prominently featured elements such as traditional African rhythms, unique use of blue notes, and a significant emphasis on jazz influence. This blend of African musical traditions with new American forms gave rise to some of the most compelling and dynamic genres in American music history, including jazz, blues, and gospel.
Through the melodies and rhythms of their music, African Americans expressed the complexities of life in an uptown New Orleans enclave.
Notable musicians like W.C. Handy, often referred to as "the Father of the Blues", played a key role in transcribing and popularizing these sounds. Meanwhile, the Harlem Renaissance heralded a period in which black musicians broke away from European influences to create a new music style, perfectly exemplifying the powerful artistic voices emerging within black communities during the 1920s.