jazz finalllll

Who were the three main musicians that played with Benny Goodman in the “first” integrated jazz group?

• Teddy Wilson (piano)

• Lionel Hampton 

• Charlie Christian (guitar)

What is significant about the musical relationship between Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn?

• Created a unique compositional style

• Collaborative musical relationship

Who composed “Take the A Train?”

Billy Strayhorn

Duke Ellington

• Colors

• Synthesia 

  • “Hear color” “see color”

• Trained as a visual artist 

• His arrangements: looked at the skills set he had among his musicians and arranged the tunes to incorporate and highlight them into his own arrangements

• Long form jazz

• “Ellighton Effect” - a combination of everything above^

  • Uses all of his skills of instruments and designs them to highlight the mood

Who was known as the “First Lady of Song?”

• Ella Fitzgerald

Billie Holiday 

• “Lady Day”

Ethel Waters

• “Sweet Mama Stringbean”

Whose band is most commonly associated with Kansas City? How would you describe their style?

• Count Basie Orchestra

• Count Basie took over Benny Moten's band in KC

  • Benny Moten used to be in charge of the band

• Style: blue chords progression, blue notes, riff-based

New York Club

Cotton Club (a plantation club)

Who was Eddie Durham?

• A trombonist and guitarist and arranger

• Played in pre-cursors of the band 

• In the Benny Moten band

Swing

• Faster dancing music 

• Feeling of momentum

• “Lindy Hop”

• “Foxtrot”

What is head arrangement?

• “Head” - the songs melody (the main melody) 

• Agreed upon with the band

• An arrangement worked out, often collectively 

Describe the difference between scat and vocalise:

• “Vocalise” - sung on vowels, composed melody

  • Generally less improvised

• “Scat” - generally improvised, songs on vocables (syllables) 

  • Refers to the improvisation part

Define orchestration:

What does it mean “to orchestrate” a song?

• To what instruments are playing what

• Choosing what instruments will play which part

Arrangers

• Fletcher Henderson was an important early swing arranger and bandleader, and he also had arrangers working in his band.

• What are the names of two important arrangers for Fletcher Henderson?

• Don Redman 

• Benny Carter

After his band broke up, Fletcher Henderson became the arranger for “Benny Goodman’s” big band. 

Benny Goodman - “The King of Swing”

Swing Bands:

• What was significant about the international SweetHearts of Rhythm?

  • All female band

  • Racially and ethnically mixed

  • Rose during the World War

Who was the first white musician to play with the International SweetHearts of Rhythm?

• Roz Cron

• “Darkened her skin” because, at the time, it was not acceptable to play in racialy integrated brands

Who was Willie Mae “Rabbit” Wong:

An important musician in the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, known for her exceptional skills and contributions to the band.

Who was the original singer on the recording, “It Don’t Mean a Thing?”

Ivie Anderson

Who are the most common instruments/sections in a swing band?

• No violins

• Brass sections (trumpets, trombones, tuba, clarinets)

• Rhythm section (drums, guitar, piano)

Baby Dodd’s Trio: Jazz A’La Creole

• Connection to Mardi Gras Indian Music: Both styles share African, Creole, and Native American roots, with an emphasis on rhythm and percussion. The call-and-response patterns and syncopated beats in both traditions are foundational to their sound. Mardi Gras Indian music’s drumming style influenced early jazz, especially through drummers like Baby Dodds.

• Key Players:

  • Baby Dodds: Innovative New Orleans drummer, known for shaping the early jazz rhythm section.

  • Clarence Williams: Pianist and composer who contributed to the trio’s distinct jazz sound.

  • George Lewis: Clarinetist (associated with the trio in later performances) who helped define the New Orleans jazz style.

• Significance: "Jazz A'La Creole" blends New Orleans jazz’s improvisation with African and Creole rhythms, mirroring the communal, celebratory spirit of Mardi Gras Indian music, both key elements of the city’s rich musical heritage.

Illinois Jacque

• Instrument: Tenor saxophone

• Key Contributions:

  • Helped shape the evolution of big band jazz, bebop, and rhythm & blues with his distinctive, powerful style.

  • Known for his bluesy, expressive tone and rapid-fire phrasing, which became a hallmark of his sound.

  • His solo on "Flying Home" (1942) with Lionel Hampton's Orchestra became legendary and is often cited as one of the defining moments in jazz saxophone history.

• Notable Collaborations:

  • Played with jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Lionel Hampton.

  • Worked alongside other key figures of the era, contributing to the development of jazz in the 1940s and '50s.

• Notable Songs:

  • "Flying Home": A signature solo with Lionel Hampton that defined his career.

  • "Petite Fleur": A widely praised ballad showcasing his melodic skill.

  • "Black Velvet": A classic R&B-influenced tune, highlighting his versatility.

• Legacy:

  • Influenced generations of saxophonists, from Sonny Rollins to Stan Getz.

  • Played a crucial role in bridging the gap between swing and bebop, while also leaving a significant mark on rhythm & blues.