Origins of Jazz

Elements unique to jazz “style” Rhythm  “swing” feel Pitch  Blue notes; bent pitches Sound  traditional instruments played in unusual ways (effects) Improvisation  spontaneous composition within a predetermined structure

Early Jazz History Can be traced to New Orleans in the 1890s City was culturally diverse, & represents the cultural influences:  Western Europe (France)  Spain  Africa  Latin America (Caribbean)  African-American descendants of slaves

Jazz is an American Art Form At its origin, America was a segregated society Jazz grew out of the African-American side of American culture An African-American has been responsible for the initiation of every new jazz style

Jazz is a model for “multiculturalism” Western Africa  contributed the emphasis on rhythm & the percussion instruments to provide a rhythmic foundation Slaves had usually been kept on Caribbean islands before being shipped to the U.S. French & Spanish possessions (Caribbean islands) exerted a cultural influence  Spanish tango can be heard in early jazz

multiculturalism Religion played a role from the beginning  Spirituals  Musical “hybrid” basis for much early Dixieland marching music Slave work produced work songs & field hollers  “conversational” music still prominent in much jazz Influence of European music  Forms, harmonies, & instruments

Ragtime ( ) A style of solo piano jazz Have the feel of a march and the melody is highly syncopated Scott Joplin  Leading performer and writer of rags  Was a son of slaves, but received a formal musical education

Blues A sound/style and a form based on a simple chord progression Has been used in all jazz periods and styles A favorite form of vocalists Has been used extensively by instrumentalists, as well

Dixieland ( ) First true jazz style Flourished in the New Orleans Storyville district until 1917 Moved to other cities  Kansas City, NY, Chicago Chicago is the site of considerable progress because of Louis Armstrong

Developments of Chicago Dixieland:  Addition of a tenor sax to the front line  Replacement of banjo by piano  Replacement of tuba by string bass  Importance of individual “solo” improvisations

Swing ( ) Big Band Era Bands had players Music was arranged & the role of the soloist diminished Pieces were limited to 3 minutes because of recording limitations Fletcher Henderson  1 st “big band” in NY  First time whites had taken an interest in jazz

Duke Ellington  Brilliant composer, piano player, & band leader  Wrote for the strengths of individuals in his band

Bebop ( ) Reaction to the swing era Decline in ballroom dancing after World War II, caused a decline in the big bands Jazz became “art music” rather than commercial popular music Emphasized small groups & individual creativity Use of “sophisticated” harmonies Irregular phrases

New songs based on the chords of the standards Introduction of Latin rhythms Drummers & bass players were featured as soloists Music is intense and technical Players  Charlie “Bird” Parker  Dizzy Gillespie

Cool ( ) Reaction to the intensity of bop Retained the sophisticated & intellectual developments of bop in a restrained, “chamber orchestra” style Understated music Addition of new instruments FFlute CCello FFrench Horn Adopted “classical” forms

Not restricted to harmony & form restrictions of “songs” Musicians withdrew from the audience Miles Davis  Leading figure in this style  Possibly the most important personality in the history of jazz  Responsible for 2 styles (cool & fusion)

Free Jazz (1960-?) Grew out of the radical 60s An attempt to abandon the rigid forms & harmonic structures of traditional jazz Featured free, collective improvisation Added non-western elements, extended playing techniques, & opened solo possibilities for drummers & bass players

Fusion (1970-?) Combined elements of rock with jazz Grew to combine elements of 20 th century “classical” music with jazz Players  Miles Davis  Herbie Hancock  Chick Corea

1990s Simultaneous revival & development of most jazz styles from the past Wynton Marsalis  Leads a school of players & writers with strong ties to the culture & history of jazz  Formally trained  Attempts to innovate by building on traditions  Won the Pulitzer Prize in composition First time a jazz composition has won that award