American Music History Jazz, Big Band, Swing, & R’n’B

Jazz JAZZ: JAZZ: This style of a music, as a recognized genre, occurred outside of the culture from where it originated. This style of a music, as a recognized genre, occurred outside of the culture from where it originated. “One of America’s original art forms” “One of America’s original art forms” Orchestras made up of Caucasian musicians began imitating this style such as Tom Brown’s “Dixieland Jass Band, Direct from New Orleans” in Orchestras made up of Caucasian musicians began imitating this style such as Tom Brown’s “Dixieland Jass Band, Direct from New Orleans” in  THE MUSIC:  Makes significant use of improvisation, polyrhythms, syncopation & the swung note.  Improvisation became the essence of jazz and very much depended on the artistic ability of the player. Joseph (King) Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band of the 1920’s: cornet, clarinet, trombone, piano, banjo and drums Joseph (King) Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band of the 1920’s: cornet, clarinet, trombone, piano, banjo and drums

Big Bands BIG BANDS: BIG BANDS: By the 1920’s larger bands became the musical fashion due partly to the fact the larger performance spaces were available By the 1920’s larger bands became the musical fashion due partly to the fact the larger performance spaces were available Supper clubs, ballrooms, auditoriums and theatres Supper clubs, ballrooms, auditoriums and theatres  Caucasian Americans: Paul Whiteman, violinist (1890 – 1967) and Benny Goodman, clarinet ( ) organized big bands  African Americans: Fletcher Henderson, pianist (1898 – 1952), Louis Armstrong, trumpeter (1901 – 1971), Duke Ellington, pianist (1899 – 1974) and William (Count) Basie (1904 – 1984) also organized big bands. ENSEMBLES included sections of trumpets, 1-2 trombones, reeds, (saxophones & clarinets), a violin occasionally, and a “rhythm section” : double bass, piano, guitar and drums ENSEMBLES included sections of trumpets, 1-2 trombones, reeds, (saxophones & clarinets), a violin occasionally, and a “rhythm section” : double bass, piano, guitar and drums

Swing Modern Jazz/Bebop SWING: SWING: Eventually, bands like the Duke Ellington Orchestra, started a style which felt like the rhythm was swinging along, which led to the genre being known as “swing”. Eventually, bands like the Duke Ellington Orchestra, started a style which felt like the rhythm was swinging along, which led to the genre being known as “swing”. This style was mostly intended for dancing, although composers like Duke Ellington, some of his tunes in the 1930’s and 1940’s demanded an attentive audience This style was mostly intended for dancing, although composers like Duke Ellington, some of his tunes in the 1930’s and 1940’s demanded an attentive audience MODERN JAZZ/BEBOP: MODERN JAZZ/BEBOP: As the decades continued and newer ideas behind jazz emerged, “bebop” or “bop” of the 1940’s and 1950’s began to adhere more to the improvisatory style of jazz. Music was planned in advance, but largely improvised during the performances As the decades continued and newer ideas behind jazz emerged, “bebop” or “bop” of the 1940’s and 1950’s began to adhere more to the improvisatory style of jazz. Music was planned in advance, but largely improvised during the performances Dizzie Gillespie: 1917 – 1993 was well known for his bebop style and “swollen cheeks” Dizzie Gillespie: 1917 – 1993 was well known for his bebop style and “swollen cheeks” Miles Davis:1926 – 1991 was a “cool jazz” player and was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame Miles Davis:1926 – 1991 was a “cool jazz” player and was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame

Rhythm and Blues R ‘n’ B: An urban version of jazz and country music known as rhythm and blues Precursor to Rock ‘n’ Roll – very influential on this genre  MUSIC: small groups including a vocalist or vocal quartet, piano, organ or electric guitar, string or electric bass and drums HOW IT DIFFERS FROM TRADITIONAL BLUES: Driving or insistent rhythm featuring the “back beats” of the meter (beats “2” and “4”) A lot of treble guitar Repetitive bass line Articulated lyrics