history of jazz midterm (last section)

Count Basie Orchestra debut

New York debut at the Roseland Ballroom in 1936, marking the beginning of its national and evenutal international recognition; soon became known as the “Big Swing Machine” performing such notable tunes as “One O’Clock Jump”, “Moten Swing”, and “Taxi War Dance”

Influential players in jazz in the Count Basie Orchestra

saxophonist Lester Young (epitomized the “Cool” style of jazz playing the first introduced by cornetist Bix Beiderbecke; was a victim of alcoholism and malnutrition due to racial prejudice); saxophonists Marshall Royal, Frank Wess, and Frank Foster, trumpeters Harry “Sweet” Edison and Thad Jones, and trombonist Dickie Well, guitarist Freddie Green and drummer “Papa Jo Jones”

Count Basie Orcestra famous blues vocalists

James Andrew Rushing and Joe Williams

What year marked the beginning of the swing era

1935

Most popular big bands in the history of jazz

Les Brown and his band of renown, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and the Benny Goodman Orchestra

Doris Day

female vocalist featured by Les Brown, best remembered for her top selling recording of “Sentimental Journey”

Tommy Dorsey

fronted one of the more popular bands of the period and featured a young vocalist named Frank Sinatra; hits included “I’ll never smile again” and “stardust” (performed with a backup vocal group known as Pied Pipers), “I’m getting sentimental over you”

Glenn Miller

also a trombonist, produced a number of hits, including “In the Mood,” “Tuxedo Junction” and “Moonlight Serenade.” , often associated with his affiliation with the U.S. Air Force, where he fronted a military dance band during World War II.

featured vocalist of the Glenn Miller band

band member and saxophonist Tex Beneke who was routinely accompanied by the vocal group the Modernaires.  Vocal hits included “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” and “I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo.”

Benny Goodman

One of the most talented of these modern musical celebrities, Known as the “King of Swing,” Goodman’s band featured an exciting and polished sound showcasing his ability as an improviser and soloist.  Bebop was slowly being introduced by members of Goodman’s band, including guitarist Charlie Christian, vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, and pianist Teddy Wilson, all members of his famous quartet.

Gene Krupa

introduced drum set as we know it in 1937, responsible for bringing the drummer to the forefront as a soloist and for introducing the drumming technique known as “stirring soup.”

Artie Shaw

appeared in 1936, A clarinetist of parallel ability, Shaw fronted his own big band similar to that of Goodman’s. In 1937, Shaw released “Begin the Beguine” which became his signature song. Shortly after its release, Artie Shaw became known as the new “King of Swing” (a title first given to Benny Goodman).

Billie Holiday

jazz vocalist for Shaw and the first time a white bandleader would hire a black female vocalist as a full-time member of the band

Artie Shaw- heigh of his popularity

Artie Shaw was earning as much as $60,000 per week, equivalent to approximately $1,000,000 per week by today’s standards.  Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Shaw left show business to join the U.S. Navy where he was asked to form a military dance band.  As a member of the armed forces, Shaw appeared on military ships and bases throughout the South Pacific.

Swing era brought what to jazz music

expansion of instrumentation, It was common to see 4 (and sometimes 5) saxophones, 3 trombones, 4 trumpets and a full complement of rhythm section instruments in a Swing Era big band.  These bands featured elaborate arrangements of popular songs, as well as a refinement in the tone quality of the performing ensembles.