Jazz and Prohibition
Matt Osvog
Jazz in the 1920s was influencing the population of America whether people liked it or not. Many cried out that jazz was spreading corruption to the youth of America. The New York Times even went as far as reporting a story about the Salvation Army of Cincinnati protesting the building of a jazz theater near a hospital, saying that it was not right to “force the jazz attitude” on any babies being born in the maternity ward of the hospital (Ogren). This bad press that jazz had could most likely be tied to the Prohibition movement. In a time of post war peace most of America was joyous in the return to normalcy, however the youthful celebrations were cut short by the Volstead Act which outlawed the sale and consumption of alcohol. This act led to a mass migration of urbanites to nightclubs and speakeasies. Here they could indulge themselves in alcohol, music and a good time. These places were also one of the main venues for Jazz musicians who fulfilled the patron’s need to be a part of the musical fad that was sweeping the nation.
(A modern interpretation of a speakeasy)
However since alcohol was illegal most of these nightclubs were closely tied to gangsters or bootleggers such as Al Capone who were needed to illegally supply alcohol for the customers enjoyment. This led to many Jazz musicians finding themselves in debt to gangsters or owing them favors. Soon the protest against nightclubs and alcohol was also aimed towards Jazz and Jazz musicians. “Jazz was immediately associated with the carnal pleasures of the cabaret” rather than part of a fad that was swept up with the country’s post war celebration and fast paced lifestyle (Ogren 5) . Jazz marked a time of youthful rebellion and easy living which caused the younger generation of the country to be at odds with the older generation. It was said that after the First World War it “was hard for the veterans” to “slow down to the prewar tempo” and that once you “get into a higher gear you never quite drop back” (Peretti 97-98). Jazz helped to confirm this notion with its fast upbeat tempo. This led many to mark Jazz as an inappropriate and indulgent music to suite the lifestyle of the younger generations.
Ogren, Kathy J. The Jazz Revolution: Twenties America & the Meaning of Jazz. New York: Oxford UP, 1989. Print.
Peretti, Burton W. The Creation of Jazz: Music, Race and Culture in Urban America. Chicago: University of Illinois, 1992. Print.
