- Published: November 15, 2021
- Updated: November 15, 2021
- University / College: Imperial College London
- Language: English
- Downloads: 30
People are always looking for new forms ofentertainment. From new TV shows, games, apps, or music, there is alwayssomething new to be found. However, we did not always have access to thistechnology. In fact, the first forms of electronic entertainment didn’t appearuntil the start of the 20th century. Before then, you simply had togo to the theater, opera house, or orchestra halls, and watch liveperformances. One of the more popular forms of entertainment in the 19thcentury was minstrel shows, which featured many variety acts including thesatirical “ blackface” entertainment. However, In the 1890s through the 1920s, anew form of entertainment spawned from these minstrel shows, Vaudeville.
Vaudeville was by far the most popular form of entertainment in its timeperiod. These shows featured variety acts such as dancing, singing, acrobatics, and comedic skits. These shows were largely shaped around music of that timeperiod, and many performers, black and white, made their claim to fame inVaudeville shows.
One of the most famous musicians ofthat time period, was Scott Joplin. Scott Joplin was one of the earliest artistto compose rag-time style songs, and because of this, was dubbed the “ King ofRagtime.” Scott Joplin is also widely recognized as the creator of many smallersubsets of ragtime music. One of Joplin’s most famous songs was The Entertainer which was composed in1902. Although you might not recognize the title, when you hear the song, youwill recognize instantly, because it is used in lots of comedic movies or kid’smovies now-a-days.
This song would best be suited for a comic style dancebecause of its very “ up and down” style, as well as its happy two-step style. This song would best go with moves such as comedic clumsiness. I picture thissong to be to a dance between to people, pushing each other or fighting oversomething.
There are many other famous musicians of this time period, but ScottJoplin is one of the most famous and inventive people of the Vaudeville era. Another extremely famous musician ofthe Vaudeville time period was King Oliver. King Oliver was a jazz band leaderduring the Vaudeville era. Although he composed many famous works, his greatestachievement was being the mentor to one of the most famous jazz musicians ever; Louie Armstrong. Louie Armstrong composed some of the most famous pieces of the19th century. One of King Oliver’s most famous songs is the Dipper Mouth Blues written in 1923. Thissong would best go with a tap number because of its steady, driving beat.
Because this has a very consistent base, it would be easy to tap to. Althoughthis is King Oliver’s most famous songs, he has many more top chart pieces. James P. Johnson was another pioneerof the Vaudeville era. Johnson is credited as the co-founder of stride piano. Together, Johnson and Jelly Roll Morton created the style. Johnson has many famous worksin the style of stride piano. Johnson was seen as a model for Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, and Count Basie.
One of Johnson’s most famous songs is Carolina Shout written in 1929. Thissong would best go with an acrobatic or leg-o-mania style dance because of itsupbeat and very peppy sound. This would lend itself nicely to a flash-act styledance. The aforementioned Jelly Roll Mortonis also credited as a co-founder of stride piano. His composition Jelly Roll Blues, published in 1915, wasthe first published jazz composition. Jelly Roll Morton also produced manysongs in the style of stride piano.
One of Morton’s most famous songs was The Original Jelly-Roll Blues written in1926. This would best go with a ballroom style dance because of its smoothpattern. Although these weren’t all the composers of the Vaudeville era, theseare come of the most famous ones.