Why did so many jazz musicians use drugs?

Some musicians turned to drugs in an attempt to stimulate creativity, whereas others used drugs to dampen the drudgery of smoky bars, the loneliness of being on the road and as a pathway to social camaraderie among their peers (3).

Did Charlie Parker and John Coltrane ever play together?

An important moment in the progression of Coltrane’s musical development occurred on June 5, 1945, when he saw Charlie Parker perform for the first time. Parker became an idol, and they played together occasionally in the late 1940s.

Did Miles Davis abuse drugs?

Davis had an erratic personal life that included heroin addiction, cocaine addiction, pimping and spousal abuse. “I actually left running for my life – more than once,” his former wife, Frances Davis, recalled in a telephone interview.

Who are some famous people that played jazz?

Jazz musicians have taken uniquely American music and made it a major global phenomenon. From pioneers like Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton to the big-band sounds of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington to vocalists like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone, jazz music is one of America’s greatest exports.

What kind of pain did jazz musicians get?

Physical and psychological pain was an organic part of jazz. Repetitive movements of drummers and horn players, and musicians standing and dancing for hours, resulted in back pain and wrist injuries. Alcohol, opium, and heroin temporarily blotted out the hurt, the penultimate step before addiction.

Who was the originator of Big Band Jazz?

An originator of big-band jazz, Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist and bandleader who composed thousands of scores over his 50-year career. (1899–1974) Person Ella Fitzgerald

What was the Dark Side of jazz music?

On one level, Calloway’s music was a savvy, slang filled satire of the drug-crazed, mob-controlled lifestyle, which surrounded the jazz clubs of the period. In this way, Calloway’s songs such as “Minnie the Moocher” and “Reefer Man” gave listeners a candid look into the dark side of jazz without condoning it.