[Dixielandjazz] A diversion: jazz and American literature.

[M J (Mike) Logsdon]

I'm re-reading Sinclair Lewis's "Babbitt".

In chapter 7 are found the following excerpts:

"In a corner by the front windows was a large cabinet Victrola....  Against the wall was a piano, with another piano-lamp, but no one used it....  The hard briskness of the phonograph contented them; their store of jazz records made them feel wealthy and cultured; and all they knew of creating music was the nice adjustment of a bamboo needle."

The novel was published in 1920.  Any guesses as to what Lewis was thinking of as he wrote these words?