Chapter 14 Contemporary Trends: A Maturing Art Form

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved s to the present Neoclassical school –A historically conscious movement –Traced its history through the African American jazz legacy Jazz as an art form is now defined as a blending of African and Western European traditions Musicians are now more aware of the historic perspective Consensus in the jazz community of its “Art Form” status

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 3 The Jazz Canon Many prominent contemporary players now look back more than forward Jazz now finds itself on the concert stage, having evolved from the street and dance hall An identified heritage of players and music now makes up the mainstream Jazz has survived efforts to dilute and redirect it

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 4 The Young Lions Fresh young players who support a revival of earlier eras –Younger groups are now products of formal, institutional jazz training Must earn the respect of older masters who are still active players

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 5 Wynton Marsalis (b. 1961) Stellar jazz and classical trumpeter Articulate spokesman for traditional jazz styles; critic of non-traditional jazz Has taken jazz to the bastions of European tradition e.g. Lincoln Center Those with similar views may inhibit the natural evolution of jazz Listen to “Hackensack” CD2, track 13

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 6 Trumpet legacy Terence Blanchard (b. 1962) –Accomplished trumpeter, film score composer, and businessman Nicholas Payton (b. 1973) Blanchard –Looks beyond bop to Louis Armstrong for inspiration Roy Hargrove (b. 1969) –Hard bop and Cuban influences

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 7 Trumpet legacy -continued- Jon Faddis (b. 1953) –Disciple and protégé of Dizzy Gillespie –Conductor, band leader Wallace Roney (b. 1960) –Introspective style more reminiscent of Miles

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 8 Saxophone legacy Joe Lovano (b. 1952) –Played for Woody Herman in the 70s –Gained prominence in the 90s in small group settings –Wide influence from Coleman Hawkins to Ornette Coleman

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 9 Saxophone legacy -continued- Jane Ira Bloom (b. 1955) –Soprano saxophonist –Bridges the jazz gender gap –Blends many styles and world music Listen to “Cagney” CD 3, track 6 Kenny Garrett (b. 1960) –Played with Miles in the 90s –Blends mainstream with other elements

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 10 Saxophone legacy -continued- Joshua Redman (b.1969) –Son of free jazz tenor player, Dewey Redman –Virtuosic player in the Coltrane, Rollins tradition James Carter (b. 1969) –Equally strong on all saxes –Broad pallet of influences Carter

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 11 Piano legacy Piano has been a leading historic marker throughout the history of jazz –Able to simultaneously play melody and harmony –As a solo, trio, and ensemble instrument, piano has had a rich legacy of historic composers, performers, and pioneers

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 12 Piano legacy -continued- Ahmad Jamal (b. 1930) –Connects bop and contemporary players –influenced by Miles and Gil Evans Herbie Hancock (b. 1940) –Crossover commercial success in addition to solid mainstream playing –Film and television credits –R&B hits “Rockit” –Adapted rock and R&B into straight ahead format

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 13 Piano legacy -continued- Keith Jarrett (b. 1945) –A master of solo, modern trio, large scale improvisation –Veteran of the Miles Davis group from the late 60s Listen to “Bop-Be (Take 2)” CD 3, track 7 Brad Mehldau (b. 1970) –Most direct extension of Bill Evans introspective style –Prefers trio format

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 14 Evolving mainstream New players descending from the Coltrane, avant-garde legacy John Zorn (b. 1953) saxophonist, composer –Cuts across boundaries with tributes to Ornette Coleman and others Dave Douglas (b. 1963) trumpeter, composer –Hybrid electronic sounds ala Weather Report The Bad Plus –Redefines the modern trio –Hybrid styles connecting freer styles with fusion

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 15 Big Band Legacy Continuous part of the jazz scene since the 1920s –Consistent instrumentation makes it a fixed genre for composers Reflects all of the historic evolution of composed jazz Ghost bands carry on and sometimes expand the original leaders trademarks

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 16 Contemporary large bands Many maintain close ties with older styles, while some exhibit new ideas Toshiko Akiyoshi (b. 1929) piano, band leader –Compositions feature a blend of traditional and culture-crossing style –Carefully crafted arrangements expand the idiom

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 17 Contemporary large bands -continued- Don Ellis ( ) trumpet, composer –Used Indian ragas, rhythms, and meters –Mixed in elements of gospel and fusion –Devised and used a quarter tone trumpet

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 18 Contemporary large bands -continued- Maria Schneider (b. 1960) composer –Began as assistant to Gil Evans –Multiple Grammy nominations Listen to “Wyrgly” CD 3, track 1

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 19 Vocal legacy Betty Carter ( ) –Influenced by bop instrumentalists –Important straight ahead vocalist Listen to “You’re Driving Me Crazy” CD 3, track 8 Sheila Jordan (b. 1928) –Also influenced by bop –Also sang with prominent white players –Sometimes sang in trio setting without piano

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 20 Vocal legacy -continued- Cassandra Wilson (b. 1955) –Following the Betty Carter tradition –Responsible for new original material –Crossed over to incorporate other styles Bobby McFerrin (b. 1950) –Pioneering vocalist –Often performs solo, recreating essential musical parts and percussive sounds –Grammy winner and frequent collaborator with other artists

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 21 Vocal legacy -continued- Harry Connick Jr. (b. 1967) pianist, singer –In the style of the crooners of the 1940s ala Frank Sinatra –Popularity is broad and sometimes outside the jazz community Diana Krall (b. 1964) pianist, singer –Also more popular outside the jazz community Listen to “As Long as I Live” CD3, track 9

© 2009 McGraw-Hill All Rights Reserved 22 Vocal jazz groups Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross s Manhattan Transfer s New York Voices s Take ’s –Historic tradition of precise, closely harmonized vocal groups –A cappella style Listen to “Top Secret” CD 3, track 10