What were the characteristics of jazz in the 1920s?
Each era has certain harmonization rules, and this, along with rithm, creates the essential emotional tone of the music. 20s jazz–oriented toward the dancer, ie, the paying customer– was in large part expanded harmonically by “Novelty” piano songs (Zez Confrey, eg) which had already encompassed some harmonization ideas some European classical composers were playing with (chromatics, minor modes). In turn Euro composers were taking ideas from “American Jazz”. 20s jazz was also highly influenced by ragtime, a fast and swingy ragtime, and by washboard bands too. Thus, the “oompah” rithim [please note nu improved speling of rithim] remained, albeit with evermore rounded edges as time marched on. You mite also say, 20s jazz “discovered” the “backbeat”, and used it, along with the “front beat” (Polka rithim, eg), to create some wonderful polyrithims. Hence, the rithim of 20s jazz was more driving than ragtime, and was more tinged with blues–even “happy” songs–than was the “swing” music t
