Today, New York City is home to a plethora of venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn that work to appease the public’s need for jazz performances from up-and-comers and vaunted vets alike. Jazz music as we know it may not have ever existed without the help of cultural bebop-era clubs found on NYC’s 52nd street or continue to remain relevant without the promotion and patronage of hotspots by subsequent generations.
It began and still remains a large part of African American culture, having started among slaves that arrived in America at least 300 years before jazz gained popularity. Though it was not a new form of music, these were the decades when it became popular. As jazz made its way into the spotlight, it became America’s music of the 20s and 30s. Yet, aside from being associated with illegal alcohol and parties, the jazz era was obviously mostly known for the music. Additionally, many would attend speakeasies such as The Cotton Club or The Back Room. It was commonplace for New Yorkers during the 1920s to visit Carnegie Hall for their jazz music fix by attending one of many concerts that would be hosted within the walls of this famed building.
