jas band (New Orleans, Nov. 1916)

[Benjamin Zimmer]

More about the Times-Picayune cite (and the battling claims over
"jazz") in my latest Word Routes column:

http://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wordroutes/1876/


On Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 6:45 PM, Benjamin Zimmer <bgzimmer at ling.upenn.edu> wrote:
>
> On Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 5:21 PM, Benjamin Zimmer
> <bgzimmer at babel.ling.upenn.edu> wrote:
> >
> > America's Historical Newspapers (Readex/Newsbank) has digitized the
> > New Orleans Times-Picayune from 1837 to 1920. Here are the earliest
> > cites I've found in the Times-Picayune for "jas(s) band" (HDAS has a
> > June 20, 1918 cite from the paper):
> >
> > ---
> > Times-Picayune, Nov. 14, 1916, p. 4, col. 5
> > Will Give "Jas Parade."
> > Stage Hands Plan to Utilize New Orleans Material for Parade Before Dance.
> > Theatrical journals have taken cognizance of the "jas bands" and at
> > first these organizations of syncopation were credited with having
> > originated in Chicago, but any one ever having frequent the "tango
> > belt" of New Orleans knows that the real home of the "jas bands" is
> > right here.
>
> Minor correction: that should read "any one ever having frequented..."
>
> (Other unusual spellings below, like "employes", are as they appeared.)
>
> > However, it remains for the artisans of the stage to give
> > formal recognition to the "jas bands" of New Orleans. The day of the
> > "Stage Workers" annual masquerade ball, which is November 23, the
> > stage employes of the city are going to traverse the city led by a
> > genuine and typical "jas band." Just where and when these bands, until
> > this winter known only to New Orleans, originated, is a disputed
> > question. It is claimed they are the outgrowth of the so-called "fish
> > bands" of the lake front camps, Saturday and Sunday night affairs.
> > However, the fact remains that their popularity has already reached
> > Chicago, and that New York probably will be invaded next. But, be that
> > as it may, the fact remains the only and original are to be found here
> > and here alone. The "boys behind the scenes" have named their parade
> > the "Jas parade." It's going to be an automobile affair with the
> > actors and actresses of the various theaters right behind the band.
> > The ball is to be at the Washington Artillery.
> > ---
> > Times-Picayune, Nov. 22, 1916, p. 6, col. 6
> > "Jas Band" To Be Novelty.
> > Parade of Stage Employes Preceding Ball to De Startling Inovation.
> > Some of New Orleans' best known musicians will be seen in a new role
> > Thursday when they join the "Jas band" paraders, for the purpose of
> > heralding the stage employes' ball at the Washington Artillery Hall
> > that night.
> > ---
> >
> > Despite the assertions made by the first article, Chicago still lays
> > claim to the first known use of "jaz(z)/jas(s)" in the musical sense
> > (from the Chicago Tribune, July 11, 1915). By late 1916 it was showing
> > up in print in many other cities, so it remains to be seen if New
> > Orleans had much to do with the spread of the word (as opposed to the
> > genre).
> >
> >
> > --Ben Zimmer
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------
> > The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
> >

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org