Paris is a vast city that along with its people has endured the brutality of many wars, revolution, rebellions and civil conflict over the course of its history. Out of this Paris has emerged as a city of culture and opportunity that fights for Liberté, Égalité, and Fraternité. One of the greatest cultural developments to truly come to fruition in Paris is the African American genre of music, jazz. Jazz first developed in Paris during the First World War when it was introduced to the Parisians by African American troops stationed in France. This music became a way for people to escape from the realities of the war and partake in a little R&R to free themselves and their minds. The popularity of Jazz continued to grow in the interwar years as jazz clubs began to pop up around the city and jazz musicians from across the world flocked to Paris which was becoming the capital of jazz. Jazz clubs began to draw music and entertainment out of the traditionally artistic neighborhoods of Montmartre and Montparnasse and into the greater area of Paris. However, prior to the Second World War jazz was more of an imported novelty compared to a true French institution. Jazz struggled during the war years as the Nazi party outlawed it and put restrictions on any music that was jazz-like. It was during this time, however, that jazz established itself as a tool for resistance and opposition to the Nazi occupation of France. Parisians took measures to avoid Nazi suppression of jazz by changing song and artist names along with performing it in secret. Jazz with its unrestrained musical style and African-American origins stood for everything that the Nazi party hatted and because of this partaking in it became a way to resist Nazi occupation. After the war ended Jazz continued to be an important part of Parisian life as it brought together oppressed peoples of all ethnicities and classes. Jazz was a unique form of music that focused on the present and the future rather than the past. This made it incredibly popular in the postwar years as the French people continued to fight for advancements in social, political, and economic movements. Over the course of the 20^th century, you can trace the increase of jazz's popularity and footing in France in tandem with growing movements for social changes in Paris. This progression is explored in this tour through the Folies Bergère, Le Caveau de la Huchette, and Sunset/Sunside, three popular jazz clubs dating back to different points of jazz's history in Paris.

On this tour, we will visit the following sites:

Folies Bergère

Le Caveau de la Huchette

Sunset/Sunside