As the skies clear and the flowers start to bloom, we are “Swinging into Spring” here at Falcetti Music! This time of year is perfect to learn a bit more about the decidedly homegrown genres of swing and jazz, and not just because April is Jazz Appreciation Month. Like the season itself, jazz is a masterclass in rebirth and renewal. It was the reinvention of ancient musical traditions amidst the diverse and evolving cultural landscape of nineteenth century New Orleans. To better understand how jazz came to be, let’s take a closer look at where and when its roots began to take hold.

New Orleans’ colonial origins

The Mississippi River delta was fertile land inhabited by Native Americans for hundreds of years before its strategic location led to colonial European power struggles. The actual city of New Orleans was founded in 1718 by the French, and existed for years under French rule, then Spanish, then French again. This changing of hands occurred until 1803, when the city became part of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase. Despite these political transitions, New Orleans retained a strong French identity and a more generally European feeling than any other city in the country.

That enduring European influence helped establish the city as an early hotspot for the arts. Often referred to as the opera capital of North America, New Orleans is said to have one of the earliest opera companies in the country. The French Opera House (located in what is now called the French Quarter downtown) brought countless European operas to American audiences for the first time, where they were enjoyed by diverse audiences in their original languages. At the same time, members of the higher social classes embraced the European tradition of elaborate balls that featured intricate costumes, large orchestras, and traditional French dances.

As New Orleans became a major port city and cultural hub, we can’t ignore the expansion of the transatlantic slave trade. Life for enslaved people was harsh and highly regulated; they worked tirelessly in the sugar and cotton industries, in domestic service, and in other labor-intensive roles that supported the growing economy. The city flourished from the efforts of their labor while strict laws limited their freedoms and ability to congregate.

Congo Square and the preservation of African traditions

In 1817, Congo Square, a small plaza in what is now Louis Armstrong Park, was designated as a place where enslaved people were allowed to gather. And so they did. Every Sunday, hundreds of people came together to trade goods, dance, and make music, often fashioning their own drums and other instruments from the memory of traditional African ones. The many distinct traditions, languages, and practices of the African diaspora intertwined and evolved over the years through constant interaction and improvisation. This melting pot of African dance and music was the foundation on which jazz was built. Louis Armstrong is said to have noted that if New Orleans is the cradle of jazz, the Gold Coast of West Africa must be the mother.

As the gatherings expanded to include Native Americans, white Europeans, and refugees from Haiti and Cuba, the musical exchange continued to grow. The many African-derived musical concepts like the bamboula rhythm and call and response singing blended with Caribbean syncopation, Indigenous movement and ceremonial elements, and European melodic and harmonic ideas. The number of slaves born in America also increased, adding a unique cultural perspective to the mix.

How this history informs jazz

The rhythmic freedom and collaborative spirit of Congo Square helped lay the foundation for one of jazz’s defining characteristics: improvisation. Unlike European classical music, which requires musicians to strictly follow the composer’s written score, jazz emphasizes the performers, giving them the freedom to experiment. This approach created unique performances shaped both by external influences and deeply personal interpretations. Over time, these performances developed into a genre full of surprises and contradictions. Jazz balances the backdrop of European high society with the resilience of Afro-Caribbean traditions and their reinterpretation in America. It’s an inherently individual art form, defined by distinct voices, solos, and styles, yet it’s also a music created by and for a community that spans continents.

There was still some more evolution before jazz became what we know today, and it continues to evolve! But its origins remain deeply tied to the city of New Orleans, a city shaped by diversity and fueled by the human ability to adapt, connect, and persevere.

As we enter Jazz Appreciation Month, I invite you to dive deeper into the stories of New Orleans during this time in history. This article includes in-depth accounts of Congo Square during the nineteenth century, and this substack post uses a book about jazz as a jumping-off point to explore the significance of Congo Square. If you have a little more reading time, this month would be a perfect opportunity to check out the book the author is referencing!

And as always, the easiest thing to deepen your musical knowledge is to listen to new things!

This playlist is an homage to Congo Square, highlighting African artists, energetic percussion, call-and-response singing, and other elements outlined in this article. This one is a more abstract and modern take, with calming soul and R&B vibes for easy listening.

Happy listening and happy Jazz Appreciation Month!