After World War II, Britain was a mess. The country had been bombed during the war, the country lost roughly a half-million people fighting the Germans, and Britain had to borrow significantly to pay for munitions and gear. On the home front, the post-war economy was in miserable shape and the government instituted austerity measures such as rationing. The mood and economy were bleak and lasted about 15 years. During this period, many in Britain kept their spirits up in the pre-rock era by listening to traditional New Orleans-style jazz. Known as "trad jazz," the music's popularity attracted a large number of bands, and dancing to the music was commonplace at clubs and ballrooms.
What's the evolution of Britain's trad jazz movement? Here's a documentary that sheds light on the trend and the music...
A special thanks to Jimi Mentis.
