America’s Classical Music

Jazz Music  Did you know that jazz was born in the United States?

Jazz Music  Did you know that the drum set was invented by jazz musicians?

Jazz Music  Did you know that the word “cool” and “hip” were originally jazz terms?

History of Jazz  Referred to as “America’s classical music,” jazz is one of North America’s oldest and most celebrated musical genres.  The music that we call jazz was born around the year 1895 in New Orleans. It brought together the elements of Ragtime, marching band music, and the Blues.

History of Jazz  Jazz represented a break from tradition music where a composer wrote an entire piece of music on paper, leaving the musicians to break their backs playing exactly what was written on the score.  Jazz is the first genre of music to solely culminate in the United States. All other forms prior to jazz came from (Western) Europe, or were formed somewhere else.

History of Jazz  Jazz is an American Musical Art Form!  Early records are categorized as “race records.” Jazz helped breech the race barrier.

Characteristics of Jazz:  Born in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Performed in brothels, clubs, streets, and river boats.  Syncopated (off-beat) rhythms and swing (lifting) subdivision.

Characteristics of Jazz:  Encompassed the ‘aleatoric’ or improvisational nature of Negro spirituals.  Three different components make this genre distinct: 1) Harmony 2) Rhythm 3) Improvisation

Jazz Music  “When they study our civilization two thousand years from now, there will be three things that America will be known for: the Constitution, baseball, and jazz music.” - Gerald Early

History of Jazz  Jazz was conceived in New Orleans and moved up the Mississippi River to Memphis, St. Louis and finally Chicago.  Jazz spanned many musical forms such as spirituals, cake walks, ragtime and the blues.  Jazz is said to be the fundamental rhythms of human life and man’s contemporary reassessment of his traditional values.

History of Jazz  Volumes have been written on the origins of jazz based on black American life-styles.  Jazz has to do with human survival and the expression of life.  The origin of the word “jazz” is most often traced back to a vulgar term used for sexual acts.

History of Jazz  Those who play jazz have often expressed the feelings that jazz should remain undefined, jazz should be felt. “If you gotta ask, you’ll never know.” Louis Armstrong.  Jazz is the art of expression set to music!

Jazz Dancing Jazz Dancing –Is a form of dance that showcase’s a dancer’s individual style and originality. –Every jazz dancer interprets and executes moves and steps in their own way. –Jazz dancing is energetic and fun. –Jazz consists of unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps, and quick turns. –To excel in jazz, dancers need a strong background in ballet, because it encourages grace and balance. Jazz Movements

A good jazz class explodes with energy. A good jazz class explodes with energy. Most jazz teachers begin with a thorough warm-up. Most jazz teachers begin with a thorough warm-up. –Series of stretching exercises and isolation movements.  Isolations involve moving one part of the body while the rest of the body remains still. –Jazz dancers also practice the art of suspension  This involves moving through positions instead of stopping and balancing in them. –Then the class will end with a short cool down Class Structure

Technique is the foundation for all modern jazz dance movement. Technique is the foundation for all modern jazz dance movement. Dancers are encouraged to add their own personality to make each step unique and fun. Dancers are encouraged to add their own personality to make each step unique and fun. Jazz includes Jazz includes –Basic turns such as chaines –Piques –Pirouettes –Jazz turns –Ballet turns –Leaps  Grande jetes  Turning jumps  Tourjetes Jazz Steps

Miles Davis  St. Louis jazz trumpeter  “Hard Bop”  Influenced by acid rock and funk music, he incorporated electric instruments into his music

“Shhh - Peaceful” by Miles Davis 1969

Herbie Hancock Present  Piano/keyboard player in Davis’ “second great quintet”  Embraced synthesizers  In 2007, became the second jazz musician to ever win the Album of the Year Grammy  “Rockit”

“4 A.M” by Herbie Hancock 1980

Jaco Pastorius  Played in Weather Report from 1976 – 1981  One of four bassists to ever be inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame  Bipolar disorder and substance abuse led to his his murder at a Carlos Santana concert

“Donna Lee” by Jaco Pastorius 1976

Duke Ellington Activity Duke Ellington Activity Choose a piece by Duke Ellington and ask students to describe what they were listening to. Write all responses on the board. Choose a piece by Duke Ellington and ask students to describe what they were listening to. Write all responses on the board. Add following words: Hot-buttered, sassy, cool, slick-steppin, Daddy-O, ivory eighty-eights, press on the pearlies, cats and ace. Ask students what the words have in common by suggesting a title for the chart. Add following words: Hot-buttered, sassy, cool, slick-steppin, Daddy-O, ivory eighty-eights, press on the pearlies, cats and ace. Ask students what the words have in common by suggesting a title for the chart. Then ask the students if they can think of any more words that would fit the category. Explain the meaning of the words and have the students play around and experiment with the words. Then ask the students if they can think of any more words that would fit the category. Explain the meaning of the words and have the students play around and experiment with the words. Activities For Children

Have students write their favorite word or combinations of words on paper. Have students write their favorite word or combinations of words on paper. Play a selection by Duke Ellington and have students use the examples of word combinations and new examples that they can think of to create a poem about what they are hearing. Play a selection by Duke Ellington and have students use the examples of word combinations and new examples that they can think of to create a poem about what they are hearing. Allow students to share their poems. Allow students to share their poems. Activity Continued

/1900.html /1900.html /1900.html /1900.html Give background on Jazz how it is important in New Orleans culture. Give background on Jazz how it is important in New Orleans culture. Use the Princess and the Frog trailer to motivate students. Encourage them to get up and move to the beats they hear. Use the Princess and the Frog trailer to motivate students. Encourage them to get up and move to the beats they hear. Activities Continued

After the trailer ask students if they moved fast or slow and why. Talk about beats and rhythm introducing tempo. After the trailer ask students if they moved fast or slow and why. Talk about beats and rhythm introducing tempo. Play the trailer again but have students pick out instruments they hear. Play the trailer again but have students pick out instruments they hear. Give each student a different instrument and see if they can make different beats or tempos with that instrument. Also create different tempos with pairs and groups. Give each student a different instrument and see if they can make different beats or tempos with that instrument. Also create different tempos with pairs and groups. Social Studies connection with New Orleans. Social Studies connection with New Orleans. atch?v=wCVcVD3s43k atch?v=wCVcVD3s43k atch?v=wCVcVD3s43k atch?v=wCVcVD3s43k Activities Continued