The Roaring Twenties were a fantastic, escapist, and iconic decade known for its glamorous lifestyle of the rich. That’s probably why it features so heavily in big screen productions, time after time. From ensemble musicals like Chicago to animated celebrations of New Orleans culture in the 20s like The Princess and the Frog, there’s no shortage of the jazz age in pop culture.
And why not? Music was especially quintessential in defining this revolutionary, iconoclastic generation. In the 20s, jazz in particular was popular with the younger generations and undoubtedly the biggest influence on American music of the decade. Listening to 1920s jazz music from that time period can transport audiences to a world of extravagance and feel the same sense of thrill that infused the decade.
Iconic and versatile, royalty free jazz stock music is the perfect addition to many projects, period or otherwise. You can use this music to recall an enchanting past or to modernize a genre of music for today’s audience. Discover the freewheeling, innovative decade with these royalty free jazz music tracks we’ve curated to capture all the razzle dazzle of the 1920s.
Ragtime
Infused with a bouncy, upbeat piano tune and known for its “ragged” rhythm for which it gets its name, add these honky tonk tunes to your next project to invoke the early origins of jazz.
1. St James Infirmary
Download St James Infirmary by Humans Win.
2. Good Times
Download Good Times (piano stride) by Isha Love.
3. Feel So Good
Download Feel So Good (piano stride) by Isha Love.
4. Don’t Shoot The Piano Player
Download Don’t Shoot The Piano Player by Humans Win.
Flapper Jazz
If you’re looking for the perfect dancing tune, check out this melody that includes the strong clarinet and bass themes made popular in 1920s speakeasies.
1. Shake It and Break It
Download Shake It and Break It (Weary Blues) by Humans Win.
Manouche Jazz
Also known as gypsy jazz or gypsy swing, as this style has origins in the Manouche clan of Romanis, this was a genre made popular by guitarist Djano Reinhardt. With rich guitar sounds that use a type of strumming called “la pompe”, these tunes will liven up any project.
1. Morning in Marseille
Download Morning in Marseille French Gypsy Jazz by Volodymyr Piddubnyk.
2. Cooking With Gypsy Jazz Guitar
Download Cooking With Gypsy Jazz Guitar Django by Media Music Group.
3. Cooking Video Background
Download Cooking Video Background Gypsy Jazz by Volodymyr Piddubnyk.
Swing
Grab your partner and get ready to do the Lindy Hop to the big band sound of these royalty free jazz music tracks.
1. Welcome Home
Download Welcome Home by Enzo Orefice.
2. Jazzy Retro Swing Groove
Download Jazzy Retro Swing Groove by MoodMode.
Bossa Nova
While this musical style wasn’t developed until the late 1950s, it was directly influenced by the American jazz of the 20s. With a more “swaying” rhythm vs “swinging” feel of jazz, Bossa Nova is considered Samba-jazz.
1. Brazilian Summer
Download Brazilian Summer Full by Sleeping Ghost.
Modern Jazz
If you’re looking for music that celebrates 1920s jazz with a more modern sound, look no further.
1. Stop Drop Smile and Roll
Download Stop Drop Smile and Roll by Humans Win.
2. Upbeat Cheerful Optimistic Jazz
Download Upbeat Cheerful Optimistic Jazz [ Version 2 ] by Volodymyr Piddubnyk.
3. Jazzy Swimming
Download Jazzy Swimming by Gushito.
Explore more royalty free 1920s inspired stock assets
If you’re looking for even more 1920s style jazz or more modern swing music, explore our full collection of royalty free jazz music songs. You can also find 1920s inspired royalty free footage for your videos, or browse our templates to find art deco inspired motion graphics and old film overlays to pay tribute to the talkies.
Editor’s Note: This post has been updated to include additional information. It was originally published on April 3, 2017.
