Final answer:
The jazz funeral is rooted in 19th-century New Orleans customs involving music-rich funerals sponsored by societies. Jazz music blossomed during the 1920s as it moved from African American communities into mainstream popularity, notably with bands like the King and Carter Jazzing Orchestra and venues like the Cotton Club. This era, known as the Jazz Age, showcased the cultural revolution and independence in music and society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The jazz funeral is a historical practice that has roots in the 19th-century traditions of New Orleans. This custom involves funeral societies sponsoring funerals accompanied by brass band music, and it highlights the cultural significance of music in the society of the time.
Jazz music, a genre that emerged from African American influences combining blues and ragtime, played a central role in these ceremonies. The 1920s saw the rise of jazz into mainstream popularity, with bands like the King and Carter Jazzing Orchestra becoming widely appreciated across diverse audiences.
The spread of jazz beyond its birthplace in New Orleans to major cities such as Chicago and New York marked a notable expansion of its cultural impact. This period, known as the Jazz Age, was characterized by new dances, new music, and a societal shift towards modernity.
Jazz bands performed in prominent venues like the Cotton Club in Harlem, which became a hub for both Black musicians and white audiences. Iconic figures such as Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway epitomize the influential nature of jazz during this era, particularly in Harlem's lively music scene.
Black musicians in the 1920s, striving for independence and creative expression, transformed jazz into a vivid representation of life in African American communities. The up-tempo beat, improvised solos, and bold rhythms and harmonies of jazz distinguished it from other musical styles. The era's progressive attitude towards music was mirrored in the independence exhibited by Black writers and musicians, who were no longer confined to emulating European classical music or the restrained Big Band melodies.