Already in the early 19th century, New Orleans was the major center of slave trade which means that people not only came to America to work there but they also brought their culture with them. Everything was new for them, they were not free, they did not speak the language and many were separated from their families. So they were forced to improvise which, of course found also expression in their music. Mostly based on only a few chords, black music leaves the player much space to develop his own style.

In 1817, the slaves of New Orleans were permitted to meet at places where they could sing and dance and the whites who passed could get an authentic glimpse of African music and traditions. But the music of the blacks was of course not that kind of music that whites would have played in their living rooms and so they continued to looking down on their slaves. Finally at the end of the 19

Looking at it from this point of view, one can understand Adorno’s thesis a little bit better. According to his essay, jazz is a kind of a merchandise product, that has nothing to do with spontaneity, and only a little with improvisation. (cf. Adorno,” Über Jazz,” 78) For me, his theory means that all these attributes, jazz is so famous for, are only made up for the listeners and in order to give them the illusion to listen to a music that expresses rebellion, resistance and freedom, producers compose songs that correspond to these expectations and which appeal broad masses.

Another reason why jazz is now more attractive to people is the fact that it has always been a music for individuals. When people hear the word “jazz”, most of them think of improvisation and many have a picture in mind of for example a trumpet player who takes off a theme and then starts to develop it in his own style for minutes. So people, who want to show their extreme individuality to others, try to do this by listening to jazz. But as we know now, this is a perfect example for the creation of an ideology that can be marketed.

In my opinion, today’s music, no matter if jazz, rock, pop or anything else are all merchandised. It is only important whether the song, or the music style would sell and how much profit the producers get out of it. I think that is why listening to jazz has become a new trend. It is simply “cool” to sit in a cocktail bar and listen to jazz because it gives the li

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