History of Jazz Timeline: 1900
July 4, 1900 is the day that Louis Armstrong always claims as his
birthday. Armstrong's nickname will be Satchmo. He will receive this
nickname in England in the early 1930's when the British hear his
original nickname, Satchelmouth, incorrectly. Armstrong will be recognized as the first genius of Jazz because the entire concept of swinging will be attributed to him.
Blues become a standard feature of honky tonks and dancehalls. Horn
players imitate the human voice with mutes and growls.
New Orleans players are playing a mix of Blues, Ragtime, brass band
music, marches, Pop songs and dances. The Jazz stew is brewing. Some
musicians are beginning to improvise the Pop songs.
The end of the Spanish-American war has brought a surplus of used
military band instruments into the port of New Orleans.
Jelly Roll Morton is a youth working the "high class sporting houses"
or more bluntly, brothels, as a Ragtime piano player. His wages come
from tips from wealthy patrons.
Migrations from the south into Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, etc. are
Trombonist James Henry "Jimmy" Harrison is born in Louisville, KY on
October 17. Harrison will invent an important style of Swing trombone.
Trumpeter Tommy Ladnier is born in Mandeville, LA on May 28. Ladnier
will become one of the important early Jazz trumpeters.
Disclaimer: Though we have checked our facts, this timeline may contain erroneous information. If you discover errors or omissions, please bring them to our attention.