jas band (New Orleans, Nov. 1916)

[Benjamin Zimmer]

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