In Paula Savaglio’s article, “Big-Band, Slovenian-American, Rock, and Country Music: Cross-Cultural Influences in the Detroit Polonia,” she focuses on Polish American musicians in the Detroit metropolitan area. More specifically, she concentrates on the cross-cultural influences in their “musical style, repertoire, and careers” (Savaglio 24). The article is divided into two sections: the first section focuses on Polish American bands from the 1930s to the 1950s, the second centers around Polish American bands after the 1960s. The article emphasizes the effects of Americanization or assimilation into the mainstream culture. Also, it provides the reader with an understanding of how the Polish American musician maintained several aspects of his/her …show more content…
She argues that the younger generation plays in a similar fashion as their predecessors. For example, many of these younger generation Polish American musicians play in the same context as their forefathers; they are playing in Polish churches, weddings, bars, and more. The Polish context provides the musicians with an audience that is majority Polish American. In order to support her argument, Savaglio used several sources illustrating the different venues that polka music was played. For example, she used a personal statement from Ed Siwiec to illustrate polka bands being used in a wedding situation. The majority of her argument was supported through personal communication with those involved with polka bands and music. Therefore, these personal communication sources could possibly contain bias. In order to avoid biases and provide supporting evidence, Savaglio should have gathered additional sources to prove or disprove the personal communication sources. Coupled with additional sources, the personal communication would have provided enough evidence to prove her thesis. This argument was relatively strong because it allowed the reader to hear personal accounts from those involved with polka music, however, it was not supported very well. If …show more content…
She argues that they have been successful in their efforts to maintain their traditions because they have only assimilated slightly to the mainstream culture, while still remaining true to their origins; this allowed the Polish American heritage to remain constant. By continuing to use traditional music, the Polish Americans have been able to distinguish themselves from other ethnic groups within American society. Savaglio has illustrated this as being one of her strongest arguments. She uses a wide-variety of sources to support her argument such as personal communication, news accounts, and articles. These sources are relatively free of bias because she uses the news and articles to support the personal
For many Americans, country isn’t just a type of music. It’s a lifestyle. From sippin’ sweet tea on the porch, drinking beer at a tailgate or driving a pick up down the backroads, country music has made its way into the hearts and minds of many Americans. It is one of the only truly home grown American art forms. Its relatability and wide appeal has made country music one of the most commercially successful and popular genres in the United States. Using the work of scholars Tichi, Pecknold, and Ellison, I will show how country music grew from its rural southern roots into an integral part of American culture.
The word “jazz” is significant to America, and it has many meanings. Jazz could simply be defined as a genre or style of music that originated in America, but it can also be described as a movement which “bounced into the world somewhere about the year 1911.”. This is important because jazz is constantly changing, evolving, adapting, and improvising. By analyzing the creators, critics, and consumers of jazz in the context of cultural, political, and economic issues, I will illustrate the movement from the 1930’s swing era to the birth of bebop and modern jazz. As the 1930’s began, the effects of the Great Depression still ravaged the United States, which in turn caused a dramatic change in the music industry.
Roy, W. (2010). Reds, whites, and blues social movements, folk music, and race in the United States. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Jazz replaces some popular music to be America’s mainstream popular music. This kind American music finds its way to the whole America. In this period, Jazz’s every note makes young man crazy, and then the word “JAZZMAD” comes into America. Jazz has a connection to the American in some fundamental way. It is an African roots of American culture. Jazz’s free rhythm, and the lyrics presents the decadence and dark life in America, and it reflects American culture. However, Jazz’s development witnesses the process of American culture. Jazz is a pure American music, because of this advantage, it brings so many fans of Jazz. This fusion makes Americans believe that the Jazz is related to their identity, and namely tolerance. Americans learn every day and they believe that other people and culture can make their life valuable. As the result, it makes Jazz a distinctly American
Last but not least, the Italian-American’s contributed greatly to America’s past and left quite an imprint on our ‘melting pot’ culture. The Italian-Americans came to America following a dream; whether it be temporarily ‘escaping’ South Italy or a lifelong aspirations toward music. There perseverance and bravery left an impact stronger than words can express which assisted our future successes. Slowly yet steadily, Italians rose up the social ladder, opening up like a blossoming flower to their fellow Americans. Establishing their roots, then blossoming into a beautiful flower, revealing all beyond everyone’s expectations. Today, Italians have surpassed all the other ethnic groups in average job income and job prestigious, a true example of hard work paying off. As for, “Chi la dura la vince,”-He who perseveres wins at last...
Music’s role on society has changed drastically through the course of its history as it has become ever so increasingly expansive. Many of the previous musical movements were only for the wealthy as entertainment
Throughout history, music have defined or depicted the culture and social events in America. Music has constantly played an important role in constituting American culture, where people have expressed themselves through music during flourishing and turbulent times. In the 1930’s, Swing music created a platform for audiences to vent their emotions in the midst of Great Depression and political unrest. Such strong relationship between music and culture can be seen throughout history, especially in the sixties.
Chopin’s decision to focus on and emphasize the imbalances between the sexes is heavily influenced by her upbringing, her feelings towards society, and the era she subsisted in. How Chopin was raised and educated not only inspired her, but it also assisted her with her writing capabilities.... ... middle of paper ... ...
Music can be traced back into human history to prehistoric eras. To this day archeologists uncover fragments of ancient instruments as well as tablets with carved lyrics buried alongside prominent leaders and highly influential people. This serves as a testament to the importance and power of music, as well as its influence in society. Over its many years of existence, music’s powerful invocation of feelings has allowed it to evolve and serve many purposes, one being inspiring change. American journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson once said, “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel.” This fuel is the very things that powers the influence of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society, that author Glenn C. Altschuler writes about in his book, “All Shook Up – How Rock ‘n’ Roll Changed America.” Between 1945 and 1965 Rock ‘n’ Roll transformed American society and culture by helping to ease racial integration and launch a sexual revolution while most importantly developing an intergenerational identity.
For a society that was now being defined by radically changing racial and ethnic diversity, the music that bore the label of “American” by definition required that multiplicity of cultures. Gershwin’s and Copland’s compositions both epitomize this idea because they were so successful in defining and uniting diverse elements of American culture into their arrangements, giving the American music scene a new exclusive tradition of both foreign sounds and exotic rhythms.
People are influenced by everything from jobs, music, fashion, certain people, even to different cultures. Chefs never seemed like the group of people one would expect to have an impact on the world, but they do. They change the way people see food and show that it is far more than just a way to stay alive it is sort of like a new way of life to say. There was one woman who changed the scene entirely, by graduating from the Parisian cooking school Le Cordon Bleu, publishing 19 books, airing 13 television shows, and having 8 DVD releases. Julia Child has been an inspiration for many cooks but has also influenced society as a whole while changing the way people thought about food and at the same time, revolutionizing the professional cooking industry for women.
...frican American Musicians as Artists, Critics, and Activists. Berkeley, CA: University of California, 2002. 54-100. EBSCOhost. Web. 8 May 2015.
In conclusion this report has helped us understand the significance of Music in America. Also, the impact it has on music we listen too. Music is very much like a big chain reaction. Rock ‘N’ Roll, much like music today, stood out and was in a way rebellious. Parents now hate Rap and we love it. People in the 70’s loved Rock ‘N’ Roll and parents hated it. This shows that maybe no matter how much older people deny it, the time gap and generation gap is not too far apart. Without Rock ‘N’ Roll the World would without a doubt be changed. Any guess to that of which way would be a good one.
In the text book America’s Musical Landscape by Jean Ferris, the book takes us through the history of the evolution of American music. The book delves into the different time periods of America’s music beginning with early North American music all the way to today’s modern music. Additionally, the book also explains how music, theater and film intertwine to provide some spectacular art. Jean Ferris finishes the book by exploring America’s concert music. Let us now take a closer look into the different time periods brought out in the book.
Powell, A. (2007). The Music of African Americans and its Impact on the American Culture in the 1960’s and the 1970’s. Miller African Centered Academy, 1. Retrieved from http://www.chatham.edu/pti/curriculum/units/2007/Powell.pdf