Louis, Duke, and Ella: Strong, Willing, and Fit

The Melody Lingers on. New York: Newmarket, 1986. 87-9, 98-101, 113-4, 115-8. Print. Howard, John Tasker.

Live From the Las Vegas Tropicana. Rec. 2 February 1959. CD. Capitol Jazz, 1996.

The change was driven by the deep, persuasive shift in the American spirit. The country was anxious to recover what it lost during the Depression. Ellington’s jazz creations were unknown and alien to the world, however, Ellington received the chance to succeed at the Cotton Club. The results of Ellington’s achievements at the Cotton Club were extensive, leading him to success and to national fame. The reasons for his outcome need to be revealed because Ellington was one of the most important figures in the era of jazz.

The creation of Jazz was essential in life as we know it because Jazz was extremely popular amongst the youth. In order to change the world for the long term the youth must be targeted and the old perceptions and thoughts of older more conservative and racist generations must be proven to be inadequate. When the white kids in both the south and the north began enjoying Jazz it gave a lot of spotlight to some of the best Jazz composers which a majority of which were African American. The youths respected the music which helped young whites across the nation develop the respect for black men and their work. As more and more whites indulged in the Jazz music they got a taste of black culture while being shown that humans intelligence, strength, and work ethic does not depend on the color of ones skin.

White performers were used for the popularization of jazz music in America. Even though the jazz movement was taken over by the middle class white population, it facilitated the blend of African American traditions with the white middle class society. Cities like New York and Chicago were cultural centers for jazz, and especially for African American artists. Some famous black artists of the time were Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. Jazz was not always enjoyed and liked by most, at one time people t... ... middle of paper ... ...us, or insecure about.

The literary movement was just as important as the music. Young writers created many novels, poems, and short stories that talked about the black experience. Among these people were Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, James Johnson, and Claude McKay, leading Harlem poets of the 20s. Yet, despite what one would think, the Harlem Renaissance depended largely on white patronage. Alienated white intellectuals and rebellious youth practically idolized Harlem's black performers, writers, and artists for their "primitive" energy and supposed sensuality.

This respect carried over to society slowly but surely. During the Vietnam war, music played a crucial role in the societal evolution into a state where emotions fueled actions, more emphasis was put on equality, all opinions counted. Before the war started, a wealthy white man by the name of John Hammond worked to integrate black and white music.1 Since his childhood, he enjoyed the music of numerous black artists, and he wanted to share his love with the rest of America. He used much of his inherited fortune to make this possible. He went against the general opinion of society and his parents, who despised black people.

535-625. Print. Secondary Sources Bloom, Harold, ed. Modern Critical Views: Kate Chopin. New York: Chelsea House, 1987.

New York: Abradale Press Harry N. Abrams, Inc. , 1987. Haskins, Jim. The Harlem Renaissance. Brookfield: The Millbrook Press, 1996. Howes, Kelly King.

Woodstock. Saugerties, N.Y. June 1969. Gitlin, Todd. The Sixties. New York: Bantam Books, 1987.