Jazz History Exam 2

Territory Bands

A big band that was popular in a local area or region but never achieved national prominence.

Big Band Swing

Larger bands, tighter arrangements, very dance-heavy

Head Arangement

a musical arrangement that is created collectively by the band members on the spot, rather than being fully written down on sheet music.

Kansas City Style

a 1930s big band style that featured head arrangements, riff based melodies and improvising soloists

jam session

an informal gathering of musicians where each soloist will have a turn to improvise, usually on a jazz standard

Cotton Club

A speak easy where black Americans played but could not be apart of the audience. One of the most famous Harlem nightspots.

the Ellington effect

writes for specific members of the band. New Orleans/stride influence. unique timbres, harmonies, and forms. Unique ensemble "colors" and longer forms. Blend of group and individual expression.

Bebop

social/political component - rejection of mainstream swing and rise in black consciousness/individual. Expression. solo based. clubs instead of dance halls (shift). Tritone.

Dropping Bombs

a technique devised in bebop in which the bass drum plays strong accents

Comping

a rhythmically unpredictable way of playing chords to accompany a soloist; typically one of the variable layers in the rhythm section

Contrafact

a musical composition consisting of a new melody overlaid on a familiar harmonic structure

Afro-Cuban

complex rhythmic layering and sharply articulated, aggressive rhythms

Minton's Playhouse

a Harlem jam session spot where bebop was founded.

fletcher henderson

• One of the earliest swing band leaders (from the 20s)

• Worked as an arranger for Bennie Goodman

-Blue Lou

Chick Webb

Popular band leader in the 1930s. Phenomenal drummer. "invents" the modern drum set. First to take drum solos. Savoy Ballroom. "hot band". battle of the bands vs. Benny Goodman.

Duke Ellington

In the swing era: begins collaborating with Billy Strayhorn, his partner. Increased musical complexity and popularity. Writes for specific soloists in his band. Cotton Club. Loses popularity in the late 40’s; resurgence after 1956 Newport Jazz Festival. wrote suites based on themes like "Black, Brown and Beige" and "Sophisticated Lady."

Mary Lou Williams

Pianist and arranger. KC/Pittsburg. Andy Kirk and his 12 Cloud of Joy writer. Influence of stride/boogie boogie. Complex harmonies (zombie chords); considered a musical genius. Influence on bebop and modern styles.

Count Basie

Red Bank, NJ. "Less is more" approach to piano. Relaxed "in the pocket" swing. "All American Rhythm Section" (piano, guitar, bass). "New Testament Band". Written music, tight ensemble.

Lester Young

Sax. "pres". Grew up in New Orleans. 1933 KC with Count Basie and returns to play with him later. Smooth and light style. Influenced by Bix. Not rhythmically precise and floated over the beat. Horizontal improv - smoother.

Coleman Hawkins

Sax. Born in Missouri. Learns piano and studies as a child. KC. Plays with Fletcher Henderson from 1923-1933. Playing choppy early on. "growls" and wide vibrato. Vertical improv - moving up and down register from low to high notes.

Glenn Miller

Trombone and arranger. Most popular war-time big band leader. unique reed (saxophone/clarinet) arranging style.

Benny Goodman

A twentieth-century American jazz clarinetist and bandleader. He was known as the "King of Swing." forms orchestra in 1934. Breaks stylistic racial divide

Artie Shaw

A clarinet rival of Goodman's, he was one of the most admired jazz musicians of the swing era. Left the industry early in his career due to his dislike of wild, enthusiastic fans.

Charlie Christian

First prominent electric guitar player. Establishes new potential for jazz guitarists. Joining Benny Goodman. Early bebop innovator at Minton's

Django Reinhardt

A guitarist with only two fingers on his left hand. He was a good soloist as seen in his song "Shine"

Billie Holiday

Did NOT scat sing. limited range (lower). voice is sometimes described as "thin" and "fragile", but is very engaging. great interpreter of melody. makes every song personal. died young due to drug use. established standard for "jazz singers"

Johnny Hodges

For nearly fifty years, played lead alto saxophone for Duke Ellington.

Billy Strayhorn

Ellington's musical partner; his alter ego. Styles are nearly indistinguishable. ____ composed many of Ellington's bands biggest songs.

Jimmy Blanton

Key figure in Dukes band. changes the way bass is played. substitute harmonies. first solos that aren't "walking bass" style.

Joe Jones

KC drummer. Played with Count Basie. Pioneered new style of drumming. emphasizes cymbals not bass drum

Melba Liston

Trombonist/composer/arranger, Dizzy Gillespie's band (woman in band yassss)

Valaida Snow

Trumpet Player. Nickname "Little Louis" Best known female soloist of the 30s.

International Sweethearts of Rhythm

first integrated all women's band in the US

Art Tatum

arguably the greatest pianist in jazz history. amazing technical ability. influences pianist and instrumentalists; moved towards bebop. Was born legally blind and has no vision in one of his eyes

Kenny Clarke

Innovator of modern drumming, emphasizing cymbal based time instead of bass drum - "dropping bombs"

Dizzy Gillespie

Jazz Trumpeter that helped to develop bebop - ____ and Charlie Parker duo until drugs took over - played in high register

Charlie Parker

Jazz Saxophonist that helped to develop bebop; complex harmonic ideas. Blues rhythm innovations - drug addict (cause of early death) - Dizzy and _____ duo. influenced by Lester Young

Bud Powell

Piano

Bebop; most influential keyboarder of past 10 years. Had virtuostic technique; pioneered piano trio form (piano, bass, drums)

Dexter Gordon

First great bebop tenor saxophonist. He came from an upper-middle class black family whose father was the doctor for many jazz musicians. Spent 14 years of his career in Europe. Also became an actor where he played a musician in Europe in the film Round Midnight

J.J. Johnson

trombone

bebop trombonist; smooth, clean style. Influenced by Parker and Gillespie. Main influenced for future trombonists

ostinato

repeated musical phrase, melodic idea, or rhythmic pattern

Block chord

Multiple instrumental parts that play in harmony with the same rhythms.

arpeggio

A musical technique where the individual notes of a chord are played consecutively in ascending or descending order, rather than simultaneously.