the 1920's
...nd sound found Chicago a great place to showcase this new art form. Seeking places to perform to smaller audiences and vacationers, Jazz found it's way to Kankakee. Many prominent Chicagoans had summer homes along the beautiful Kankakee River and convinced local establishments to hire Jazz performers to entertain. Kankakee was now a contributor to the 1920's Jazz craze. The Jazz Bands of the 1920's were soon transformed in to the Big Band sound in the 1930's and 40's. Today, Kankakee has kept that sound alive with the many performing Big Bands in the area. aring Twenties”.In 1917 the Original Dixieland Jass Band cut the first recorded jazz records in history. It is a pity the honor could not have been bestowed upon a true pioneer of the genre. Most jazz historians regard this small group as simply a poor copycat band, lucky to ever have been re...