From “Race Music” To “Rhythm & Blues”

From “Race Music” To “Rhythm & Blues”
 

jump — 1. to spring free from the ground, to move suddenly or involuntarily. 2. a form of R&B music that places emphasis on strong rhythm, exciting solo work especially by saxophones, and vocals in a shout-blues manner.

R & B (rhythm & blues) – a kind of music developed by African-Americans that combines blues and jazz, characterized by a strong backbeat and repeated variations on syncopated instrumental phrases.

R&B was originally defined

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Blacks & Blues: Songs Of Struggle

Blacks & Blues: Songs Of Struggle
 

juke (of West African origin, akin to Wolof dzug, to live wickedly) – a roadside drinking establishment that offers cheap drinks, food and music for dancing, often blues music.

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Funk: The Groove That Makes You Think

Funk: The Groove That Makes You Think
 

jungle boogie (jungle –oft attrib to Hindi jangal + boogie – prob alter of bogle – goblin, object of fear) a 1974 hit by Kool & the Gang, frequently sampled by hip-hop artists, perhaps the funkiest piece of music ever recorded.

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Hip-Hop: The Song Of The Streets

Hip-Hop: The Song Of The Streets
 

jam (origin unknown) – 1. to drive or wedge forcibly into a tight position. 2. to fill often to excess. 3. to make unintelligible by sending out interfering messages or signals. 4. to force one’s way into a restricted space. 5. to take part in a musical jam session.

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The Evolution of Jazz Music

The Evolution of Jazz Music
 

jive (origin unknown) – 1. the jargon of jazz musicians or enthusiasts. 2. deceptive, nonsensical or glib talk. 3. to play or dance to jive music.

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The Heart & Soul Of Black Music

The Heart & Soul Of Black Music
 

soul (Middle English, from Old English sawol) – 1. the animating and vital principle in human beings, credited with the faculties of thought, actions and emotion and often conceived as an immaterial entity. 2. a sense of ethnic pride among African-Americans, expressed in areas such as language, social customs, religion and music.

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The Slavery Years: 1619 – 1864

The Slavery Years: 1619 – 1864
 

jubilee (Biblical) – 1. in Hebrew Scriptures, a year of rest to be observed by the Israelites every 50th year during which slaves were to be set free. 2. celebrations held by African-American slaves, usually at Christmas and Easter, which included respite from labor, feasting, music and dancing.

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Africa: The Genesis Of Black Music

Africa: The Genesis Of Black Music
 

Africa  1500 – 1860

juju (from the African Hausa language) – an object used as a fetish, a charm or an amulet in West Africa, or the supernatural power ascribed to such an object.

Africa is the second largest continent on Earth.  Africans account for over 12% of the world’s population, are distributed among 54 nations in Africa and are further differentiated into about 1,000 language and cultural groups.  Though peoples of African

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