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1929

The Deco Years · 1920s · Chrome, jazz and newsreels

Music · 1929

Jazz Flourishes as the Roaring Twenties End

As 1929 drew to a close, the booming Roaring Twenties reached a dramatic climax, forever changing popular culture amidst the dawn of sound cinema and recorded music. Jazz and blues reached unprecedented artistic heights just before the Wall Street crash reshaped the American landscape.

  • June 1929 | Delta Blues | USA

    Pony Blues

    Country blues pioneer Charley Patton cut his legendary debut session for Paramount Records, immortalizing Delta blues with his raw vocals and percussive guitar style.

  • July 1929 | Jazz Single | USA

    Ain't Misbehavin'

    Trumpeter Louis Armstrong transformed Fats Waller's theater tune into a pop masterpiece, establishing himself as a vocal star alongside his virtuoso soloing.

  • 1929 | Blues Short Film | USA

    St. Louis Blues

    Empress of the Blues Bessie Smith made her only film appearance, delivering a heartbreaking, cinematic performance of W.C. Handy's classic blues anthem.

  • December 1929 | Jazz Film | USA

    Black and Tan

    Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra starred in a groundbreaking musical film short that brought sophisticated Harlem jazz to cinematic audiences nationwide.

  • March 1929 | Piano Stride | USA

    Handful of Keys

    Fats Waller demonstrated astounding stride piano virtuosity in this influential instrumental solo recording that set a new standard for jazz pianists.

  • February 1929 | Country | USA

    I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes

    The Carter Family captured the ache of Appalachian folk tradition during their Camden sessions, laying down a foundational track for modern country music.

  • 1929 | Pop / Early Sound Film | USA

    Singin' in the Rain

    Cliff Edwards introduced this immortal song in the early sound film musical The Hollywood Revue of 1929, capturing the breezy spirit of late 1920s pop.

  • December 1929 | Music Loss | USA

    Passing of Blind Lemon Jefferson

    The influential Texas country blues guitarist died mysteriously in Chicago, leaving behind an influential catalog that defined early American music.

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