2024 may indeed be the year we witness the rebirth of the cool. Or more specifically, jazz being cool again. Bubbling away amongst the countless subcultures capturing the attention of younger generations, is the revival of jazz as both a genre of music and an aesthetic.
Like all genres of music, jazz as we know it today has experienced several eras of popularity since its original conception in the late 1920’s. With the genre currently experiencing an increase in popularity globally, Melbourne itself is seeing its jazz scene buzz once more. Venues like the Rooks Return, Paris Cat Jazz Club and Bird’s Basement are some of the hottest spots in town to watch live music. On top of that, Melbourne’s inaugural jazz festival is bringing the living legend Herbie Hancock to our streets in 2025. It is clear that jazz is beginning to hold musical cachet once again.
This revival is not just sonic in nature, but aesthetically driven too. Just as disco is associated with flares, folk with tassel jackets, and mods with trench coats. The revival of jazz brings with it an inherited dress sensibility. Of course, because jazz spans so many time periods it has been associated with several different sartorial styles throughout its existence. The aesthetic that appears to be riding the coattails of this current revival, is that connected with jazz of the late 50s and early 60s. Think Chet baker in a checkerboard knit top or Teddy Edwards (pictured) in an unstructured blazer.
In the late 50s and early 60s jazz was developing its own look. Moving away from the strict formal dress codes of performers in the periods immediately preceding and proceeding the Second World War. Jazz musicians were taking the best of preppy, ivy league style, without the elitist sensibilities that usually burdened the clothes. This commonly consisted of loafers, seersucker suiting and sunglasses. No matter if it was hot or cold, whether you were inside or outside. Loose oxford shirts, knitted crewnecks and high waisted trousers, were also staples of the 60s jazz aesthetic and are gaining popularity today.
Current shoppers wishing to emulate icons from this decade have access to heritage brands, as well as surviving second-hand garments from the period. Brands such as Scott Fraser Collection are painstakingly recreating iconic pieces of clothing right out of the jazz history books. By using archival photos and examining vintage clothing he’s collected, Scott is at the forefront of this style driven resurgence that jazz is having. Moreover, the Australian skate-wear brand Butter Goods have just released a clothing collection in collaboration with powerhouse jazz label, Blue Note Records. In the past Butter Goods have also collaborated with jazz heavyweights Lonnie Liston Smith, Charles Mingus and Gill Scott-Heron. Going to show that this aesthetic is permeating fashion from all ends of the spectrum.
Modern technologies afford us the ability to explore the vast back catalogues of music and the subcultures that lived alongside those movements in history. The ability to see, as well as hear music of the past. Allows for a continued reinvigoration of modern style, by being heavily inspired by what has come before.
The jazz aesthetic oozes cool. It carries the sharpness of suiting, quite literally softened by knitwear. With modern workplace dress codes becoming more relaxed, it leaves the door wide open for those of all genders to play with incorporating these jazz standards into their everyday wardrobe.
The sights and sounds of jazz, are indeed the shape of things to come.
