New Orleans is a city of blends. Whether it's the blending of foods and spices to create its signature gumbo or whether it's the blending of cultures and sounds that make up its jazz, New Orleans blends in a way few cities can match. As the Civil War drew to a close, New Orleans became a hot spot for many for its cosmopolitan atmosphere. It became the city that gave birth to "ragtime." Ragtime is a blend of parlor, African rhythms, Caribbean, Church, Creole, and Cajun songs. Ragtime also became the seed from which jazz blossomed.

Question

Jazz became so popular that it changed the way people wrote and performed music. It also changed the landscape of American popular culture. Great Gatsby author F. Scott Fitzgerald called the 1920s the "Jazz Age." In his book, the "Jazz Age" became heavily identified with liquor, youth, excess, and a free lifestyle. Most of these characteristics are now identified with rock 'n' roll.
Despite the connotations, jazz continues to be an influential genre of music, and Americans have New Orleans to thank for that.

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Many attribute Elvis Presley as starting a movement that would later be known as rock 'n' roll. In 1954, Elvis recorded for Sam Philips in Memphis' Sun Studios. What Philips recorded became part of the backbone that brought rock 'n' roll to America. While there is certainly no denying Elvis' appeal and popularity helped to bring rock 'n' roll to the American mainstream, he did not invent rock 'n' roll.
Rock 'n' roll was heavily influenced by African-American rhythm and blues with white, hillbilly country music. Elvis took from artists like B.B. King and Hank Snow. He borrowed from the blues, jazz, country, and gospel music.
Initially, rock 'n' roll was something uniquely American and loved by its youth, but now its popularity has grown beyond just America and its youth. Rock 'n' roll has Elvis to thank for its popularity, and Elvis has many other blues, country, and gospel singers to thank for helping to shape his sound.
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Use the information from the two articles above to compare and contrast jazz and rock 'n' roll.

Choose one characteristic the two types of music share.
A.
They were invented in New Orleans.
B.
They developed at the same time.
C.
Both trace their roots to country music.
D.
Both are influenced by African rhythms.

Answer 1

The correct answer is D. Both are influenced by African rhythms.

Comparison of Jazz and Rock 'n' Roll:

Similarities:

• Both genres draw significant influence from African rhythms, showcasing the impact of African music in the development of unique American musical styles.

Differences:

• Jazz originated in New Orleans, blending various musical elements from different cultures, including parlor music, African rhythms, Caribbean influences, and more. It became synonymous with the city's vibrant cultural mix.
• Rock 'n' roll, on the other hand, was popularized by figures like Elvis Presley in the 1950s and evolved from a fusion of African-American rhythm and blues and white country music. Elvis played a pivotal role in bringing rock 'n' roll into the mainstream, but the genre's roots are diverse and include various musical traditions, including jazz and gospel.

Overall, while both jazz and rock 'n' roll share a significant connection to African rhythms, they represent different historical contexts and cultural blends in American music.