Born in 1918 and brought up in a mixed LA neighbourhood Norman Granz had a vision that jazz could be a tool in ending racial tension in the USA.
Jazz is one of the most popular music genre’s on the planet. Previously a very racially segregated genre, Jazz was predominantly played in the back-alley clubs. After hearing the work of Coleman Hawkings, Norman Granz decided to be an entrepreneur and reform the music genre. Through this his goals were:
• Combat racial prejudice
• Make money
• Present good jazz
In 1944, Granz borrowed money to record jamming sessions in order to thrust jazz music in to the limelight. This proved a great success, which lead him to travel throughout the USA under the name “Jazz at the Philharmonic" (JATP) with stars such as Coleman Hawkings participating.
In 1955, Granz set up his own record label, Verve. Verve then signed up Ella Fitzgerald, who become an instant hit. Granz used this to his advantage and used Fitzgerald to begin to end racial tension. To do this, Granz demanded that venues allowed all demographics of audiences to attend, otherwise he wouldn't allow the show to take place.
This is when Jazz stars became fully fledged music artists, no matter what their racial background was either. However, during their 1955 tour, Granz and Fitzgerald were arrested by corrupt police officers for the posession of drugs. This corruption was highlighted when Granz sued the Houston Police Department. And, although this cost him thousands, Granz proved his point about racial segregation.
In 1960, Granz sold Verve to MGM for $2.5million. He created one of the most influential periods of music history and because of him, Granz really did make Jazz the sound of America.
References:
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/27/verve-records-jazz-norman-granz
In 1944, Granz borrowed money to record jamming sessions in order to thrust jazz music in to the limelight. This proved a great success, which lead him to travel throughout the USA under the name “Jazz at the Philharmonic" (JATP) with stars such as Coleman Hawkings participating.
In 1955, Granz set up his own record label, Verve. Verve then signed up Ella Fitzgerald, who become an instant hit. Granz used this to his advantage and used Fitzgerald to begin to end racial tension. To do this, Granz demanded that venues allowed all demographics of audiences to attend, otherwise he wouldn't allow the show to take place.
This is when Jazz stars became fully fledged music artists, no matter what their racial background was either. However, during their 1955 tour, Granz and Fitzgerald were arrested by corrupt police officers for the posession of drugs. This corruption was highlighted when Granz sued the Houston Police Department. And, although this cost him thousands, Granz proved his point about racial segregation.
In 1960, Granz sold Verve to MGM for $2.5million. He created one of the most influential periods of music history and because of him, Granz really did make Jazz the sound of America.
References:
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/27/verve-records-jazz-norman-granz
CATEGORY: SOCIETY and MUSIC
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