There are many reasons why jazz emerged more in New Orleans rather than any other American cities in the 20th century. Some of the reasons that contribute to jazz emerging in New Orleans are that there was a large migration of African Americans to that area due to the Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase caused New Orleans to become one of the largest trading routes that went all the way through the Mississippi river and down through the Gulf of Mexico. New Orleans now attracted people with their amount of trade and goods. African Americans and other migrants saw this blooming town as economic opportunities to create jobs and wealth for themselves. New Orleans was also very cosmopolitan and was at ease with all the diverse and urban cultures.
Gioia would agree that New Orleans became a center for jazz because of the economic growth and geographical position of the town. Gioia mentions that New Orleans position was a gateway of the major inland water system where trading hubs grew and where steam boat became the major source of transportation. On the other hand, I think that in the 20th century, Mexican immigrants contributed to New Orleans jazz culturally. Mexican immigrants saw New Orleans as a place of opportunity for themselves also and brought in their culture that influenced jazz play tremendously.
After considering the evidence that Gioia presents, I believe that the most important factor that explain why jazz emerged in New Orleans because it attracted all the cultures that appealed to a diverse amount of people. For example, African Americans at that time were unable to find opportunities for themselves or were never allowed to express themselves in their own way. New Orleans emerges as a place where the people could express their freedom through creativity through genres such as jazz music. I think that due to the newfound business of aliveness of the town, jazz became the center to where all cultures can express themselves through music.
