[From an article in Improvement Era, 1926 -- an LDS periodical]

WHY NOT ABOLISH JAZZ?

[...]

Jazz, as has already been pointed out by others, came from the Jungle. It belongs to the savage who cannot produce or appreciate the beauty in music as we of the cultivated and enlightened races are supposed to be capable of doing. If jazz is to be continued because it gives "pep," let those who want that kind of pep hie themselves to a place where they can indulge in it without annoying others who do not like it. No one appreciates a lively, stirring tune more than the writer, but there is a great difference between the banging, rasping sounds associated with jazz and the invigorating airs that might be played. Music can be lively and still possess harmony and rhythm.

Perhaps the writing of this article is a waste of time that could be profitably spent in other work, but the writer has long felt that he must say something on this subject. The pity of it all is our younger people seem to delight in jazz because of a notion that it is offensive to the conservative, and they are never so happy as when they feel they are in revolt. I am convinced that it is this that has sustained jazz so long; surely, surely it cannot be due to a genuine love of it; if so, what are we coming to, or rather going back to? But I have already given a hint as to this!

I cannot see much use in trying to inculcate in the people a love of the beautiful in music whilst jazz is tolerated at the theatres and public dance halls, and even in the amusement halls controlled by the church people. As far as the Latter-day Saints are concerned, why cannot we maintain the excellent standards set up by the recreation committees? Why insist upon music that has been copied from savage tribes?