Jazz and Cannabis

Cannabis has a rich intertwined history with Jazz music and musicians! Their histories are so intertwined, it is believed that they both helped propel one another into American culture. The roots of cannabis culture today are clearly present in the cannabis culture of the jazz scene in the early 20th century.

It was the perfect secret ingredient that has allowed musicians to let go and intuitively respond to the music they are playing. 

Jazz singers of the era used to smoke and it is said that almost all the greats did. It was a common belief that cannabis helped jazz musicians respond to the music even better than when they were sober and that smoking helped them hear the music slower and respond to the beat quicker. 

“The Grass Is Greener” on Netflix is a great documentary that explores the connected history of the two.

CANNABIS SLANGS

Muggles- Slang for Cannabis

Viper- The equivalent of “stoner” today. Named because of the hissing sound you make when inhaling from a joint or blunt quickly. 

Pot Hounds- people who smoked too much. (is this the grandfather term of “pothead?”)

Gage- Slang for Cannabis. Notably- Louis Armstrong use the term as his go-to slang!

Reefer- Slang for Cannabis, also used in the song “Reefer man”

Grass- Slang for Cannabis

Emerald Magazine

JAZZ MUSICIANS THAT SMOKED

Cab Calloway

(even wrote the song “Reefer Man”)

Louis Armstrong

(smoked from the age of 14 onward)

Duke Ellington

Count Basie

Billie Holiday

Thelonious Monk

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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