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 information from the two articles above to compare and contrast jazz and rock 'n' roll.

In what way are jazz and rock 'n' roll different?
A.
They appealed to different age groups.
B.
They were influenced by widely different sounds.
C.
They developed during different eras.
D.
They identified with different values.

Answer 1

To compare and contrast jazz and rock 'n' roll based on the information provided in the two articles, we can evaluate the options offered:

A. They appealed to different age groups.
While jazz was significant during the early 20th century (the "Jazz Age" in the 1920s), rock 'n' roll particularly appealed to the youth during the 1950s. Thus, there is a potential difference in age group appeal, especially considering the cultural contexts of their respective eras.

B. They were influenced by widely different sounds.
Jazz was influenced by a blend of African rhythms, Caribbean, Church, Creole, and Cajun songs, while rock 'n' roll derived from African-American rhythm and blues, as well as white country music. While both genres have diverse influences, they do share foundational aspects, particularly in their roots in African-American music. So this option is not valid as a clear distinction.

C. They developed during different eras.
Jazz became prominent in the early 20th century (especially in the 1920s), while rock 'n' roll emerged notably in the 1950s. Hence, they indeed developed during different periods.

D. They identified with different values.
Jazz in the "Jazz Age" is associated with liquor, youth, excess, and a liberated lifestyle. Rock 'n' roll, while also associated with youth, is characterized more by rebellion and a free-spirited lifestyle but does share some overlapping values with jazz.

Based on this analysis, the best answer is: C. They developed during different eras.