A History of Jazz Podcast 1917: Everybody Else
Apr 5, 2017
Dive into the vibrant jazz scene of 1917, exploring historical events and the decline of ragtime following Scott Joplin's death. Discover the early European jazz influence at Ciro's Club and the dynamic work of Wilbur Swetman, the first Black jazz recording leader. Get insights on James P. Johnson's pivotal piano rolls that bridged ragtime to jazz, and the Frisco Jazz Band's entrance into Broadway. Finally, hear about W.C. Handy's evolving views on jazz and his impactful recordings.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Recording Shaped Early Jazz's Public Image
- Many top early jazz musicians (King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton) were active in 1917 but not yet recorded.
- Recording favored bands already tied to the industry, shaping what listeners heard as 'jazz'.
Scott Joplin's Tragic Decline And Later Revival
- Scott Joplin, ragtime's leading composer, died in 1917 after being institutionalized with syphilis-induced dementia.
- His reputation faded until a 1970s revival restored interest in ragtime and works like The Entertainer.
Ciro's Club: Early European Jazz And Tragedy
- Ciro's Club in London recorded one of the first European jazz records in March 1917 under Jamaican leader Dan Kildare.
- The club closed during WWI; Kildare later succumbed to addiction and tragically killed his family in 1920.