Rhythm and Blues music is a style of music that originated in New Orleans. It was a combination of elements from Jazz and Honky-tonk. This style of music reached a climax in the 1960s and 1970s, when artists like Louis Armstrong, Freddie King, and Aretha Franklin began recording a variety of songs that included a variety of vocal styles.
Jazz influences
Jazz is one of the most important genres of music in history, and it has influenced a wide variety of genres, including country, pop, rock, hip hop, and even electronic music. However, jazz has not always received a positive reception from the mainstream music culture.
Jazz is generally thought to have originated in New Orleans. It developed out of a mix of musical styles, including ragtime and the blues. A major influence on the development of jazz came from the slave trade, which brought Black slaves to the United States. These Black slaves were transported to various locations throughout the American South. In addition to being forced into work, they were prohibited from practicing their native music.
Eventually, the African-American community of New Orleans became the focal point of jazz. Although it was originally a form of music performed only by the locals, it eventually gained worldwide recognition and earned some of the highest cultural honors. Many other influences continue to affect the development of jazz.
While some of the early styles of jazz were overly simplified, others had a visceral impact on listeners. A common example was the use of syncopation. This was not only a common feature of jazz, but was also used in the development of rock and roll.
The evolution of jazz’s rhythm was the most important element in its appeal. While the melody was often obscure, it likely evolved from a simplified residue of African and European vocal materials. One example of this is the pentatonic formations associated with West Africa. Similarly, the syncopation was a major component of rock and roll.
Another important factor in the development of jazz was the influx of foreigners. International travel made it easier for musicians to visit cities where jazz was on the rise. Once they were in those cities, they could perform their music and share their ideas with other musicians.
The improvisational nature of jazz is also a notable aspect. Some of the most famous jazz musicians of all time, like Herbie Hancock and George Benson, have recorded hundreds of songs. They are known for their unique sound.
Other examples include the jazz guitar, which has a distinctive style. When jazz guitarists perform, they can create material on the fly. Often, they are accompanied by an ensemble.
Some of the instruments used in jazz have roots in the West African region. Saxophones, for example, were first invented by Adolphe Sax in 1840. As a result, the music of the saxophone was an essential part of marching bands.
Another major influence on the development of jazz was the freestyle element. Freestyle in jazz is characterized by deliberate deviations in pitch and timing. Often, the freestyle elements are used in conjunction with swing.
Honky-tonk clubs in the 1940s
Honky-tonk clubs in Texas are among the most popular venues for country music in the state. These types of venues attract all types of people, from tourists to locals, and often offer a wide variety of music styles. In fact, a number of honky-tonks in the state have become known for their own unique sounds and dance styles.
One of the first country music acts to gain fame was Webb Pierce. The country singer became famous for his hit songs, such as “Wondering, Wondering,” and “Two Dozen Roses.” Another musical legend of the 1940s was Fats Domino. He was the first musician to play an electric guitar on the Grand Ole Opry.
Hillbilly music is an eclectic style of music that originated in the late 1800s and spread throughout the United States. It combines simple instrumentation, including a guitar and a string bass, with a nasal vocal. Lyrics tend to focus on the working class and often portray tragic themes. During the 1930s and 1940s, it was played from Oklahoma to the West Coast.
Honky-tonks were first built as social clubs for German settlers in the second half of the nineteenth century. By the end of the 1900s, several clubs had opened in San Angelo. Occasionally, the police would be called to settle disputes.
Most honky-tonks in Texas were located in the San Antonio area. Others were scattered throughout the Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth regions. Many of these clubs hired off-duty police officers. A handful of these clubs still exist today. However, the number of venues has greatly decreased. Those still open include Adair’s Saloon in Deep Ellum, Snook near College Station, Kendalia Hall in Boerne, and Blanco’s in Houston.
Honky-tonks are a rougher type of nightclub. They were sometimes referred to as “hurdy-gurdy” shows, which was a misnomer because they were often played by a small barrel organ. This characterization was often accompanied by lurid accounts of violence and women’s misbehavior.
Honky-tonks were also a popular venue for the Czech community in Texas. Several churches and SPJST halls offered dances on weekends. Local musicians often performed secular and religious material at these venues.
Honky-tonk music in Texas began to expand after WWII. During the decade, honky-tonks were also called “hillbilly” music. Instrumentation included lap-steel and electric guitars, as well as Hawaiian steel guitar. Vocals were nasal and rough, and the lyrics often focused on working-class life.
As more and more people heard of the country musicians that were performing at these honky-tonks, they were drawn to the sound. In the 1940s, some of the most popular clubs were in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Other venues included the 66 Club in Houston, the Rodair Club in Port Arthur, and Yvonne’s near Beaumont.
Honky-tonks, however, also spawned a whole new genre of music. Jazz was an early genre that was also associated with these less-reputable nightclubs.
New Orleans R&B in the 1960s and 1970s
New Orleans rhythm and blues (R&B) was the precursor to rock and roll. It developed in the city of New Orleans during the late 1940s. Early R&B songs usually incorporated horns and electric guitars, along with a number of other instruments. In addition to a strong ska influence, the sound was also strongly influenced by Cuban music. Rhythm and blues in New Orleans has a distinctive tone and rhythmic patterns.
During the early 1960s, a variety of R&B artists started blasting out of the performance halls and jukeboxes in New Orleans. Many of the best records of the time were recorded by artists such as Irma Thomas, Smiley Lewis, Ernie K-Doe, and Fats Domino.
One of the most important architects of the New Orleans soul/R&B sound was Allen Toussaint. A piano player and songwriter, Toussaint wrote scores of classic R&B hits. His first album was released on RCA Records. He later worked with out-of-town artists as well.
Allen’s early career was centered in New Orleans. The city had a large pool of talented performers who came from various schools and neighborhoods. However, the local market did not offer a consistent major-label distributor. That meant that most top-caliber acts were able to record only a few singles before disappearing.
When the 1960s ended, New Orleans music switched to funkier material. Local groups such as the Meters were a central part of the New Orleans soul/R&B scene. They produced a variety of funky recordings in the 1960s and 1970s, and are considered the creators of the New Orleans sound.
Another pivotal early contributor to the city’s R&B scene was Bobby Bland. The blues singer had a strong following in the African American community. Although he died in 2013, his fan base is still very active.
While many New Orleans artists had one or two hits, there were several that enjoyed national recognition. Little Willie John’s gospel-inspired singing paved the way for a new generation of R&B singers. His “Need Your Love So Bad” became a Top 5 R&B hit.
Several other talented artists also made their mark on the city’s R&B scene in the 1960s. Champion Jack Dupree, Archibald, and Professor Longhair were all barrelhouse pianists.
Cosimo Matassa, the founder of J&M Recording Studios, played an instrumental role in fostering an integrated atmosphere for recording. Hundreds of top-caliber artists worked in his studios in the French Quarter.
As a result of the social upheavals of the 1960s, the market for R&B records began to decline. Satellite Records, founded by Jim Stewart, changed its name to Stax Records. Al Green signs with the label. Several other successful R&B and Soul artists were signed by the label, including Barbara George and Mar-Keys.
By the 1980s, the Billboard magazine R&B chart was renamed Black Singles. Nevertheless, New Orleans was able to maintain a vibrant soul and R&B scene. There are still a number of local musicians who perform the songs that made their names in the 1950s and 60s.