“It doesn’t take perfection, it takes bravery.” said Jazz performer, Bri`anna Thomas. On Thursday, Feb. 13, juniors got the privilege to join Brianna and her jazz band as they led a jazz sing-a-long discussion on the importance and influence of Louis Armstrong. This is the second jazz group to visit Baruch, though the tone of this performance presented a stark contrast from the group prior.
This unique concert honored Black History Month and demonstrated the significant influence of Black musicians on American culture. Such as the impact Louis Armstrong had went beyond just music; his talent and tenacity served to define jazz and dismantle racial barriers within the art form. The legacy of Louis Armstrong is a testament to the ability of music to bring about societal reforms.
His work inspired generations of musicians and dismantled the racial limitations that plagued the music industry, making him one of the most influential musicians in history. Armstrong revolutionized jazz by bringing improvisation and a newfound feeling of creative freedom with his command of the trumpet and his unique, gravelly voice. However, his impact extended well beyond social reform; as one of the first Black performers to gain broad recognition, he defied the racial limitations of his era.
Armstrong provided opportunities for other Black artists who were subjected to discrimination in the music industry and society as a whole with his innovative albums and performances. His collaborations with other renowned artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington served to push the art form to new heights, his impact went beyond music. Although Armstrong faced many obstacles along the road due to the prevalent racism of his time, his tenacity and creative genius eventually paved the path for upcoming Black musicians.
During the Great Migration, African Americans left the South to escape the oppressive Jim Crow Laws, moving to urban areas in the North such as Harlem or Chigaco. Black Americans had the freedom to express themselves without persecution leading to the development of Jazz—a genre of music that invites musicians to communicate with each other through improvisation; the instruments evoke new emotions, creating a shared experience with the audience.
Although Baruch does not have a music program, students can experience live music performed by professional musicians. Vocalist Brianna Thomas said, “[Jazz teaches] you how to be brave enough to share your voice.” While playing some songs, Thomas encouraged the audience to sing and scat with her (a vocal style in jazz that improvises a melody with nonsensical syllables). Each scat conveyed a distant emotion in the song—a sense of despair, sorrow or hope.
Music can be a form of activism and expression in times of vulnerability. FREEDOM by Jon Batiste and Big Freedia inspires the oppressed to remain resilient. Kendrick Lamar’s song Alright (2015) and I Can’t Breathe (2020) by H.E.R. was written in response to police brutality against Black people. What About Us? by P!nk questioned the U.S. government and the overall retrogression of the country. Evidently, music often acts as a beacon of hope, beckoning those who dare to create to guide those that can not. It brings people together to celebrate, to cry, or to sing along.
Music can be unparalleled to any other subject taught in schools because performing empowers young people to step out of their comfort zone and share their talent. Pianist Conan Popis said, “You, learning to write, supporting, learning chemistry about biology, calculus, “but the arts nurtures the soul.”
