STUDY NOTES – JAZZ
1. Jazz music originates in New Orleans and results as a fusion of several elements.
a. Music brought from Africa by slaves.
b. Western Harmony
c. The Blues and work songs sung by the slaves on plantations. There was a migration
of slaves into New Orleans in the 19th Century.
d. March music: March band music was very popular from the 1830’s on and even
served as dance music.
e. Spirituals
f. Cakewalks and other dances
2. New Orleans was a diverse city, originally French, 1718, it changed hands with the
Spanish, 1763, then turned back over to the French in 1801, Napoleon sold it to the
U.S. in 1803 –a melting pot. When the French were in power people of mixed race,
called Creoles, enjoyed special privileges –they could even own slaves. Many went to
France to gain higher education including music. New Orleans had several opera
houses; one in French, another in English, and a Creole opera house. After the US
took over the region the Creoles began losing their special status, however between
people of color their status persisted. New Orleans is an important port city located
at the mouth of the Mississippi River – the longest waterway in the U.S.
3. Congo Square – Unlike other cities, New Orleans gave a “Free Day” once a week
where slaves gathered in Congo Square, played drums and danced.
4. Musical instruments, specifically band instruments, could be had for cheap in New
Orleans. Following the Civil War many soldiers of the Regimental Bands pawned
their instruments.
5. Musicians found work playing at, picnics, funerals, river boats, parades, and clubs.
Those that played on river boats helped the spread of Jazz throughout the U.S. They
often had “bucking contests” where bands would approach one another while
playing in the streets and played until one of the bands fell apart – the public then
saw which was the better band.
Some of the early great Jazz musicians include: Louis Armstrong, trumpet; Sydney Bechet,
clarinet and saxophone, Bix Beiderbecke, trumpet. Jelly Roll Morton, piano.
JAZZ – PART 2
THE SPREAD OF JAZZ – Jazz becomes the most popular music in America
Jazz travels up the Mississippi River
1917 – Jazz reaches Chicago – “Chicago style”
New Orleans musicians such as, King Oliver (Louis Armstrong was in his band), “Jelly Roll”
Morton
These bands began to feature extended improvised solos – rather than the customary, 1 or
2 measure, “riff” between the end of one phrase and the start of the next phrase
they replaced tuba with the upright, string bass, and replaced the banjo with the guitar
other important players of the Chicago style incl., Bix Beiderbecke, Frank Trumbauer,
Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa
BIG BANDS
FLETCHER HENDERSON – along with DON REDMAN, are arguably chiefly responsible for
the development of the jazz big band
Aside from dropping the strings from the band there were these important developments:
the band was divided into 4 sections; trumpets, trombones, saxophones (reeds), and
rhythm
Each section had 3 or 4 members so that the band was balanced
Therefore, each section could play a harmonized melody onto themselves or in
combination with another section
For example, the saxophones could play a rapid melody harmonized while, the trombones
could play chords in the lower register (often in a repeated groove rhythm), the trumpets
could play chords punctuated rhythmically over top.
The rhythm section consisted of, piano, guitar, bass, and drums
The bass began to play more quarter notes – that is, 1 bass note per beat (like when you tap
your feet) while the guitarist most often strummed chords in quarter notes together with
the bass. the piano was then free to comp (play) chords on the important accents or play
fills (decorate) in any manner he/she wished
SHORT LIST OF THE MOST PROMINENT BIG BANDS
BENNY GOODMAN
COUNT BASIE
DUKE ELLINGTON
CAB CALLOWAY
TOMMY DORSEY
BENNY GOODMAN 1909-1986
Born in Chicago – son of poor Jewish immigrants – father shoveled lard in the stockyards
Received music lessons at a synagogue
Early on he played with BIX BEIDERBECKE – WAS the first to record Billie Holiday (1931)
BOUGHT FLETCHER HENDERSON’S ARRAINGEMENTS AFTER THE STOCK MARKET
CRASH IN 1929
Band was broadcast on a live radio program, LET’S DANCE. Unaware to GOODMAN the
band became very popular with young people on the west coast due to the three hour time
difference
The Goodman band was the first band to formally integrate. "As far as I'm concerned, what
he did in those days—and they were hard days, in 1937—made it possible for Negroes to
have their chance in baseball and other fields." —Lionel Hampton on Benny Goodman
During concerts the band would break while Goodman’s smaller quartet or quintet would
perform
Quintet members incl.;
Benny Goodman – clarinet,
Teddy Wilson – piano,
Gene Krupa – drums,
Lionel Hampton – vibes, and
Charlie Christian – electric guitar (amongst the first electric guitarists and was also
associated with the developments of be-bop led by Charlie Parker). The electric guitar
changed the guitar from the supportive role of strumming to one of a soloist. The
amplification of the guitar paved the way to the development of Rock and Roll.
1938 – CONCERT IN CARNEGIE HALL – the first time jazz was presented in Carnegie Hall –
the concert was a resounding success and helped legitimize jazz as a “serious” art form
Goodman became active as a classical soloist as well and commissioned works for clarinet
by well known composers
Goodman Orchestra disbanded the after WW-II due to the change in musical tastes – tried
be-bop for a short time but then returned to swing.
BE-BOP
After WWII big-bands became too expensive to be profitable: Economic conditions were
much better for workers than before the war and musicians were not willing to work for
low pay, play one nighters and often sleeping on a bus. The result was a return to smaller
groups. Many musicians incorporated the chromatic harmony found in Romantic and
Impressionistic music. The musician responsible for creating this new musical style was
Charlie Parker (1920-1955) also known as, “bird.” or “yardbird.”
Characteristics of the Be-bop improvisatory style include rapid melodic lines. These lines
and harmony incorporate the upper extensions of chords and their alterations.
Parker became a heroine addict at around 14 years old which contributed to his early
death.
Parker once took a job as a dishwasher in a club where, Art Tatum, the blind pianist was
performing regularly so he could hear him every night. Tatum’s approach greatly
influenced Parker.
Charlie Parker’s main collaborator was trumpeter, Dizzy Gillespie. Gillespie dissolved the
partnership after coming to the conclusion that Parker’s drug addiction was a detriment.
Many other great musicians played with and were inspired by Charlie Parker and
developed the music on their respective instruments. Bud Powell developed the be-bop
style on the piano, Kenny Clarke on drums, and Oscar Pettiford developed the style on the
bass – to name a few.
Be-Bop branched out in many directions. Miles Davis, one of Parker’s trumpeters became a
leader in his own right. His bands were on the cutting edge and featured many sidemen
that went on to take Jazz in many directions. These sidemen include, John Coltrane, Herbie
Hancock, Bill Evans, Chick Corea…. The list is way to long to include here.
John Coltrane became arguably the most influential tenor Saxophonist of all time and a
leader of the avant-garde in jazz. His experiments led to the creation of, Free Jazz which
largely abandoned tonality. Ex. Sunship, 1965
The avant-garde style was contentious to audiences as it was incomprehensible to most
ears and alienated many. Jazz musicians sought ways to play this complex music within
other styles such as, rock, funk, Latin, Brazilian, etc. These blending of styles are known as,
Fusion. Although many new fans were attracted by these endeavors the majority sadly
stayed away from jazz. Beginning in the 1950’s young people turned toward rock and roll,
soul, then, hard rock, disco, house music, etc.