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Since jazz’s heyday in the 1930s and ‘40s, Washington, D.C. has held a deep connection with the melodies of jazz.
In the 1930’s and ‘40’s, jazz fans flocked to the clubs on U Street to hear the most popular jazz musicians of the day. Today, jazz music still flows from the clubs on U Street to the Washington Monument. (Illustration by Alexandra Dimodica/IE/NPR)
In the 1930’s, musicians pleased eager crowds at the jazz clubs on U Street. Today, jazz can be found all over the city from the White House to the National Mall, and even in the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden. Events such as the annual Duke Ellington Jazz Festival and frequent jazz nights at clubs on U Street invite D.C. residents and tourists to enjoy the many diverse forms of jazz.
The link between D.C. and jazz goes far beyond geography and history. People are still discovering, and others are rediscovering a love for jazz. It is an American art form, and many jazz enthusiasts and performers proclaim jazz is a part of this nation’s identity. D.C. jazz musician Thad Wilson says that jazz is “the epitome of what we call our democracy.”
After having survived years of transient fads and cultural changes, it seems that jazz is here to stay.
Alexandra Dimodica is a music library intern for NPR.
Excellent presentation! This intern sounded very professional. The piece is succinct and informative. Kudos!
Very well done Alexandra! Creative, Informational and to the point.
[...] What did you do for intern edition? I was the reporter and producer for my piece “Sound of the city: Jazz in the nation’s capitol.” [...]