Juneteenth Jazz

The “Doc Myers” Juneteenth Jazz Jam promotes American culture through jazz, thereby preserving the African American jazz legacy by connecting seasoned musicians with young musicians in an open mic jam. Performing Jazz Standards together in front of an audience, the established musicians share their experience with the up-and-coming generation of musicians.  

The music of Jazz is the marriage of the rhythms of Congo Square (in New Orleans, Louisiana) with the harmony of the blues from the slave fields, extended with melodic European instruments.  This provides the platform for expression through improvisation, the core of Jazz. The culture of Jazz is one of respect, class and style.  The art of Jazz To be a Jazz Musician is to honor ones ancestors…….

"Jazz speaks for life. The Blues tell the story of life's difficulties, and if you think for a moment, you will realize that they take the hardest realities of life and put them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph. This is triumphant music". – Dr. Martin Luther King. Dr. King also stated that jazz has "strengthened us with its sweet rhythms when courage began to fail" and "calmed us with its rich harmonies when spirits were down".  The improvisation in Jazz could even be considered the true gospel music, King David of Isreal improvised his songs as noted in the Bible [1 Samuel 16:23, Amos 6:5] Which is contrary to its socially perceived history*

The “Doc Myers” Juneteenth Jazz Jam is educational, informative and entertaining in the spirit of Juneteenth and the father of the modern Juneteenth movement the Rev. Ronald V Myers Sr. MD as stated in the Congressional record for Juneteenth:

“Rev. Ronald V Myers Sr. MD an accomplished Jazz Pianist, Trumpeter and composer Doc Myers performed across the country Promoting June as Music Month Celebrating Juneteenth Jazz preserving our African American Jazz Legacy” – Representative Danny Davis Illinois

In support of this initiative Juneteenth directors in every state of the Union have committed to participating and conducting “The Doc Myers Juneteenth Jazz Jam” as part of their Juneteenth Commemorations. They will recruit young artists and enlist veteran musicians which will educate the performers and the audience while bringing communities together.

We ask for the Congressional Jazz Committee to recognize and support this nationwide initiative in fitting an appropriate means.

Directors Commitment

As a National Juneteenth Observance Foundation State Director and/or Juneteenth event coordinator I commit to honoring the legacy of Juneteenth Jazz by participating in the Doc Myers Juneteenth Jazz Jam.

1.       I will dedicate at least one hour of our Juneteenth event to the program.

2.        

 Enter your suggestions in the form below

 State Directors Commitment – Fill out form 

*Google AI Overview

The label "devil's music" was applied to jazz due to its syncopated rhythms and improvisational nature, which were seen as rebellious and a threat to established societal and religious norms, especially by conservative groups in the early 20th century. The music's association with the Black community, dancing, and changing social behaviors, including a perception of sexual freedom, also contributed to the backlash and fear that it was a corrupting influence. 

Reasons for the label:

• Racialized Threat: Jazz was born from African American culture, and its unique rhythms and sounds were perceived as a threat to existing white, traditional lifestyles.

• Perceived Immorality and Sensuality: The music was described as liberating and sensuous, with its free-flowing rhythms and improvisational style encouraging dance and a sense of freedom outside of religious constraints, leading some to fear it promoted immoral behavior.

• Social Change and Rebellion: Jazz's emergence coincided with significant social shifts, and the music became associated with the unrest and challenges to authority that characterized the era.

• Religious Condemnation: In the Black church, particularly in the Jim Crow South, some considered secular music like jazz dangerous because it moved people and awakened desires outside of the sacred.

• Fear of the Unknown: Some individuals found jazz's unconventional harmonies and dissonant chords unsettling and feared the music could "enter through your skin" and transform one's psyche. 

Consequences of the label:

• Censorship: The negative sentiment led to efforts to censor the music and enact laws prohibiting jazz in public places, according to PBS.

• Cultural Stigma: Despite its growing popularity, jazz faced ridicule and was labeled as a dangerous or forbidden influence by many in society.