Music, What I've learned?
Inner Journey Music, January 8th 2020
Congo Square.
The Congo Square was one of the most interesting historical landmarks that I was lucky enough to witness firsthand and learn about while visiting New Orleans. Each ethnic group in New Orleans contributed to the musical environment the city has. African Americans were one of the earliest influences of jazz music. The Congo Square was a meeting ground for free and unfree people of color to meet socially. At this location, city market vendors were placed, African dances were performed, along with African music and cultural elements being shared. As early as 17th Century, through both the French and Spanish colonial control, African Americans used the Congo Square space for gatherings on Sunday mornings which allowed the owners of the slaves to respect the “day of rest." By the 18th century, each Sunday gathered as many as 500 to 600 people. While touring around Congo Square, I could picture the dances, I could picture the drumming, I could picture the laughter, and I could feel the happiness and energy through the stories told by our tour guide. Congo Square was not just a place of gather, it was a place of expression and hope. As I talked to some locals of New Orleans I learned that the original New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was held in Congo Square in 1970. Jazz Fest rapidly outgrew the square due to the popular liking of music. Moving to the New Orleans Fair Grounds racetrack. In the mixed of all the change to the festival’s and the city’s roots, they still set up a “Congo Square Stage” annually at Jazz Fest. Some locals will argue whether or not Congo Square had a role in the evolution of Jazz music. Where we may never know which is truth about the start of Jazz, we do know one thing for certain and that is, the Congo kept African music and dance alive in New Orleans. Still to this day the music and dance created and remembered in the times of Congo Squares has never died out. Congo Square spoke to me in ways I can't describe fully. It made me feel empowered to do the things I love and express myself in ways that are unique to myself.
Congo Square.
The Congo Square was one of the most interesting historical landmarks that I was lucky enough to witness firsthand and learn about while visiting New Orleans. Each ethnic group in New Orleans contributed to the musical environment the city has. African Americans were one of the earliest influences of jazz music. The Congo Square was a meeting ground for free and unfree people of color to meet socially. At this location, city market vendors were placed, African dances were performed, along with African music and cultural elements being shared. As early as 17th Century, through both the French and Spanish colonial control, African Americans used the Congo Square space for gatherings on Sunday mornings which allowed the owners of the slaves to respect the “day of rest." By the 18th century, each Sunday gathered as many as 500 to 600 people. While touring around Congo Square, I could picture the dances, I could picture the drumming, I could picture the laughter, and I could feel the happiness and energy through the stories told by our tour guide. Congo Square was not just a place of gather, it was a place of expression and hope. As I talked to some locals of New Orleans I learned that the original New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was held in Congo Square in 1970. Jazz Fest rapidly outgrew the square due to the popular liking of music. Moving to the New Orleans Fair Grounds racetrack. In the mixed of all the change to the festival’s and the city’s roots, they still set up a “Congo Square Stage” annually at Jazz Fest. Some locals will argue whether or not Congo Square had a role in the evolution of Jazz music. Where we may never know which is truth about the start of Jazz, we do know one thing for certain and that is, the Congo kept African music and dance alive in New Orleans. Still to this day the music and dance created and remembered in the times of Congo Squares has never died out. Congo Square spoke to me in ways I can't describe fully. It made me feel empowered to do the things I love and express myself in ways that are unique to myself.
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