jazz final
Chapter 3
Jazz Origins Study Notes
Beginnings of Jazz
Roots in Brass Band and Ragtime: Jazz emerged from the brass band and ragtime piano styles of the 1800s, which were fused to satisfy social dancers.
Key Trends Leading to Jazz:
Improvisation: Musicians began taking liberties with melodies and accompaniments, which led to improvisation.
Tone Quality: Musicians experimented with tone qualities, introducing rough, raspy sounds alongside smooth tones.
African-American Musical Innovations: African Americans developed new styles like ragtime and the blues, influencing jazz's structure and rhythm.
Ragtime and Blues
Ragtime: A style of written piano music popular in the early 20th century, characterized by syncopation.
Blues: African American vocal music often paired with guitar, expressing themes of loneliness and sadness, and influential in jazz through rhythmic displacement and soulful pitch manipulation.
African Influence
Slavery and Music: African slaves in the U.S. had to adapt their musical traditions under harsh conditions. African influences persisted despite European musical dominance, resulting in altered European songs, and new forms like work songs, spirituals, and field hollers.
African Traditions in Music:
Children's Games: Rhythmic and syncopated songs were part of African-American children’s games.
Church Music: Slaves altered hymns and added rhythms and pitch bends, contributing to jazz's development.
Work Songs: Rhythmic flexibility and pitch bending were common in work songs, and field hollers.
Public African Music: In social clubs, especially in New Orleans, African music and dance traditions were preserved and performed, particularly during Mardi Gras celebrations.
New Orleans: Birthplace of Jazz
Cultural Setting: New Orleans, where jazz was born, had a mix of French, African, and Spanish influences. The city’s diversity created a fertile environment for musical innovation.
Creoles of Color: People of mixed African and French descent, often wealthy, educated, and involved in music and the arts. They played a significant role in maintaining European musical traditions while blending African musical elements.
African-American Contributions: Uptown African Americans (Negroes) retained African musical practices, which included improvisation and blending European and African vocal traditions.
Social Stratification: The Creoles of Color had higher social status than the Negroes but were both significantly involved in shaping New Orleans' musical culture. Despite facing racial discrimination, Creoles of Color continued to pursue European musical training while incorporating African elements.
Key Terms
Pitch Bend: A deliberate change in pitch for expressive purposes, common in blues and jazz.
Syncopation: A rhythmic technique often found in ragtime and jazz, where the rhythm is stressed off the main beats.
Rhythmic Displacement: Manipulating the timing of sung notes or phrases, often seen in blues.
Influence of African Music on Jazz
The African influence, through practices like pitch bending and syncopation, and the merging of African and European traditions in music, set the foundation for jazz's development in New Orleans.
The Blues and Its Influence on Jazz
Blues Origins and Development:
The blues is a genre that began as a form of black folk music developed by African slaves and their descendants in America.
It originated from several vocal traditions, including:
Field hollers: Rhythmic vocalizations used by slaves in the fields.
Ballads: Storytelling songs of European origin.
Dance music: Created for dances, such as the ring shout.
The early blues was unaccompanied solo singing but eventually included instruments like the guitar and banjo, with simple melodies and chords, often repeated.
The lyrics and melodies of blues became standardized, developing a typical rhyme scheme and chord progression by 1910.
Instrumental blues evolved, incorporating jazz elements like improvisation and challenging harmonies.
Blues' Contribution to Jazz:
Novel Sounds: Blues singers' scoops and drops of pitch influenced jazz instrumentalists who mimicked these vocal techniques.
Accompaniment Harmonies: The simple yet repeated chord progressions of blues served as a foundation for jazz musicians.
Repertory: Many jazz tunes were derived from blues songs, contributing to jazz's musical identity.
By the 1930s, jazz bands had adopted blues, and by the mid-1950s, more complex harmonies were explored.
Ragtime and Its Role in Jazz:
Ragtime, a syncopated piano style that emerged in the 1890s, is considered a precursor to jazz.
Its characteristic rhythms, where accents fall between the beats (syncopation), influenced jazz musicians' rhythmic approach.
While ragtime wasn't strictly jazz, it contributed jazz tunes and the practice of playing "around" the beat, shaping jazz rhythm.
Brass Bands and New Orleans Influence:
Brass bands were central to New Orleans' social life and played at events like picnics, dances, and ceremonies.
Bands began with just brass instruments, but later included clarinets and saxophones.
The military occupation during the Civil War further cemented the brass band tradition in New Orleans.
These bands, along with the influence of ragtime, gave rise to the jazz style by blending various musical forms.
Social and Cultural Environment in New Orleans:
New Orleans, a bustling seaport, fostered a party atmosphere with constant demand for live music.
The city's diverse cultural influences, including African, European, and Caribbean, shaped the development of jazz.
Musicians played a mix of dance music and ragtime, blending rhythms and styles to create jazz.
Early jazz musicians combined brass band music with other forms to form "New Orleans jazz" or "Dixieland."
Jazz as an Evolution of Music Performance:
Jazz was born from the need to entertain and accommodate dance styles, often requiring musicians to improvise.
This improvisational habit became a key element of jazz, differentiating it from the original forms it drew from.
Key Points:
The blues is foundational to jazz in terms of melody, rhythm, and improvisation.
Ragtime, with its syncopated rhythms, directly influenced jazz's rhythm and swing.
New Orleans' brass band tradition and its unique blend of cultural influences were critical in shaping jazz music.
Jazz developed from a necessity to fill dance floors, ultimately evolving into a distinct genre with a focus on improvisation and unique performance styles.
Chapter 4
Key Points from the Early Jazz Style Notes
Evolution of Jazz Style
Early jazz musicians began by improvising by embellishing popular melodies, and over time, the improvisations became central to performances, sometimes overshadowing the original tunes.
By the 1930s, performances often maintained the original spirit and chord progressions but were highly improvised, sometimes leaving just the core essence of the original tune.
Characteristics of Early Jazz
Improvisation: Much of early jazz was improvised, often referred to as "embellishing" or "riffing" in its early days.
Rhythm: The rhythmic feel of early jazz was looser and more relaxed, laying the foundation for the swing feeling that became popular later.
Repertory: Early jazz musicians generated their own repertory of compositions.
Collective Improvisation: Unlike earlier forms like ragtime or blues, early jazz often featured collective improvisation, creating a more complex sound with all musicians improvising simultaneously.
New Orleans and Chicago's Role
New Orleans: The birthplace of early jazz, where collective improvisation was central. Key instruments included trumpet, clarinet, and trombone.
Chicago: A hub for early jazz recordings in the 1920s, where New Orleans musicians were recorded. The city became the center of jazz development during the 1920s, with many musicians from New Orleans relocating there.
Early Jazz Innovators and Their Contributions
Jelly Roll Morton (1890-1941):
First significant jazz composer and arranger.
Merged ragtime with New Orleans jazz, emphasizing rhythmic swing and reducing ornamentation.
His compositions, such as "King Porter Stomp," are still influential today.
James P. Johnson (1894–1955):
Known as the "Father of Stride Piano."
Known for his “Carolina Shout,” which helped transition ragtime to jazz.
His stride piano style involved percussive left-hand bass notes with energetic right-hand melodies.
Fats Waller (1904–1943):
Famous for his contributions to stride piano and jazz composition.
Created enduring jazz standards like "Ain't Misbehavin'” and "Honeysuckle Rose."
His improvisation was light, swinging, and full of rhythm, with a great sense of humor.
Earl Hines (1903–1983):
Known for his "trumpet-style" piano playing, mimicking the phrasing and articulation of a trumpet.
His hard-striking, punchy piano style paved the way for modern jazz pianists.
Instrumentation in Early Jazz
The front line typically included trumpet, clarinet, trombone, and sometimes saxophone, with instruments like guitar, banjo, tuba, and drums forming the rhythm section.
Drumming: Early jazz drummers were often poorly recorded due to limitations in technology, which led to a muffled or minimal drum sound on many recordings.
Notable Early Jazz Bands and Recordings
The Original Dixieland Jazz Band: Recorded the first commercial jazz records in 1917, introducing New Orleans-style jazz to a larger audience.
Joe "King" Oliver's Creole Jazz Band: A prominent early jazz group featuring Louis Armstrong, who would later revolutionize the genre.
The Chicago School
A group of young Chicago musicians who emulated New Orleans styles, contributing to the spread of jazz across the U.S. by the mid-1920s.
Chapter 7
Cool Jazz and Its Key Figures
Definition of Cool Jazz:
Cool jazz refers to a modern jazz style that is softer and easier than bebop, with less roughness and brassiness.
The term was applied to music influenced by saxophonists like Lester Young and musicians who followed his and Count Basie’s styles.
Many cool jazz musicians were based in California during the 1950s, which led to the term "West Coast Jazz."
Lennie Tristano (1919–1978):
Pianist, composer, and bandleader, Tristano created an alternative to bebop during the 1940s.
His music was complex, but smoother and less jumpy than bebop.
He studied Art Tatum, Lester Young, and Johann Sebastian Bach, incorporating long, smooth phrases.
His style was considered intense but not in the same way as bebop.
Lee Konitz (b. 1927):
Konitz was Tristano's most talented student and developed a unique alto saxophone style.
His sound was light, dry, and airy, with a slow vibrato, contrasting with Charlie Parker’s sharp, biting tone.
Unlike Parker, Konitz avoided incorporating pop song quotes and had smoother rhythms with slurred notes.
Miles Davis and the "Birth of the Cool":
In 1949–50, Miles Davis organized the Birth of the Cool band, a nonet that included Lee Konitz and baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan.
The band's sound was subtler, with a mix of instruments like French horn and tuba, creating a "cool jazz" aesthetic.
The Birth of the Cool recordings are landmark examples of the cool jazz genre.
Gerry Mulligan (1927–1996):
Baritone saxophonist and primary composer-arranger for the Birth of the Cool band.
Known for his soft, dry tone and less complex, more deliberate phrasing compared to bebop.
His compositions were often simple, song-like, and characterized by a calm, cool aesthetic.
Later formed piano-less quartets, highlighting bass and drums.
Dave Brubeck (b. 1920):
Brubeck led one of the most famous cool jazz groups, known for its classical-inspired sound and innovative rhythms.
His quartet, featuring Paul Desmond on alto saxophone, was famous for popularizing jazz in non-jazz venues like college campuses.
He was known for experimenting with unusual time signatures (e.g., 5/4 in "Take Five") and blending classical influences with jazz.
His music was tuneful, clear, and simple compared to the complexities of bebop.
Stan Kenton (1912–1979):
Kenton led a series of big bands and was associated with "progressive jazz," a term he coined.
His bands had a distinct sound with a focus on arrangements, often influenced by classical music and modern harmonies.
Kenton’s music was more structured and less improvisational compared to swing bands like Basie’s, featuring loud brass sections and smooth trombone tones.
Kenton was a significant figure in jazz education, helping to launch the college stage band movement.
Popularity of Cool Jazz:
Miles Davis, Stan Getz, and Dave Brubeck became popular figures in cool jazz, attracting large audiences and performing in concert halls.
While many cool jazz musicians were not widely known outside jazz circles (e.g., Tristano and Konitz), the genre gained a dedicated following and paved the way for the spread of jazz as a concert art form.
Chapter 8
Key Jazz Styles:
Hard Bop: A variant of bebop, characterized by:
More active drumming.
Darker, rougher tone colors.
Chord progressions less reliant on pop tunes.
A hard-driving swing with emphasis on energy and consistency.
Greater variety in piano comping rhythms and chord voicings.
Funky Jazz: Earthy, bluesy, and gospel-like, popularized by musicians like Horace Silver and Cannonball Adderley. It was highly influential in the 1960s and 70s.
Influential Musicians:
Horace Silver: Known for his clear, catchy piano phrases, and for composing simple, memorable solos and accompaniment. His style was less virtuosic but highly effective, favoring simplicity and clarity. He was one of the most prolific composers in hard bop.
Miles Davis: A pivotal figure in jazz, Davis adapted his trumpet style over the years, moving through various jazz periods:
Bebop: Early recordings with Charlie Parker.
Cool Jazz: "Birth of the Cool" sessions.
Modal Jazz: Pioneered on Kind of Blue.
Jazz-Rock Fusion: Bitches Brew album. His band often featured other notable musicians, such as John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley.
Clifford Brown: A highly respected trumpet player, he influenced hard bop with his melodic and smooth improvisation style. He is noted for his masterful control of the trumpet, his slow vibrato, and his melodic, swinging solos.
Notable Trends in Hard Bop:
It is not confined to one geographic region but has roots in several cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Detroit.
The style blends bebop with influences from blues and gospel, often using structured accompaniments and featuring tight rhythm sections.
Essential Characteristics of Hard Bop:
Drumming: More dynamic and active than bebop.
Tone: Darker and more robust.
Chord Progressions: More complex than those based on pop tunes.
Rhythmic Drive: Relentless, hard-driving feel.
Piano Comping: Varied rhythms and voicings.
Miles Davis' Legacy:
Davis' work with various bands and his role in shaping several jazz movements over decades shows his adaptability and influence.
His style, especially his trumpet tone and phrasing, became an iconic part of jazz, helping define modern jazz for future generations.
Jazz in the 1960s and 70s:
Post-bop and soul jazz musicians continued the legacy of hard bop but increasingly drew from outside bebop, experimenting with modal jazz, Latin rhythms, and more.
The 1960s also saw the rise of modal jazz, with albums like Kind of Blue, and the fusion of jazz with rock in albums like Bitches Brew.
Hard Bop and Key Figures in the Movement
Freddie Hubbard (b. 1938)
Early influences: Clifford Brown and Miles Davis.
Known for developing a loose and playful style.
Contrasted with Davis: Stayed closer to the beat, loved double-time, and his playing was spontaneous and flexible.
Mastery of the trumpet: Clear tone, excellent intonation, crisp articulation, and ability to improvise at brisk tempos.
Key trait: Built a new vocabulary for jazz trumpet with a rich imagination.
Cannonball Adderley (1928–1975)
Major influence after Charlie Parker: Known for his bluesy, earthy sound.
Tone quality: Deep, full, and warm (sometimes mistaken for a tenor saxophone).
Style: Blues-drenched with playful and energetic improvisations.
Funky jazz: Co-led bands with his brother, Nat Adderley, and created popular hits like "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy".
Could also be calm and meditative, seen in his solo work with Miles Davis' Kind of Blue.
Sonny Rollins (b. 1930)
Innovative tenor saxophonist: Known for starting with simple melodies and developing them into complex improvisations.
Unique sound: Hard, dry tone and use of staccato phrasing.
Mastered rhythmic devices and often played outside the beat, improvising freely with tempo and chord progressions.
Influence: Greatly admired in the 1950s and contributed to simpler, funkier playing in the 1970s and 80s.
John Coltrane (1926–1967)
One of the most influential jazz musicians in history.
Known for his intense tone and virtuosity: Massive, dark sound with speed and precision.
"Sheets of sound": A term used to describe Coltrane's rapid improvisations.
Giant Steps (1959): A landmark in jazz for its complex chord changes and rapid soloing.
Coltrane influenced not only saxophonists but also pianists, trumpeters, and guitarists.
Pioneered modal jazz and furthered complex improvisational techniques.
Wes Montgomery (1925–1968)
Most influential jazz guitarist.
Created a smooth style inspired by bebop horn lines, later influencing artists like George Benson and the smooth jazz genre.
Hard Bop and Funky Jazz
Hard bop evolved from bebop in the 1950s, characterized by darker tones, simpler structures, and more emphasis on hard swinging.
Funky jazz: A subcategory of hard bop, incorporating blues, gospel influences, and catchy melodies. Key artists: Horace Silver, Cannonball Adderley.
While many hard bop musicians struggled for commercial success, groups like Jimmy Smith's organ-guitar-drums bands enjoyed greater recognition due to their simpler, funkier sound.
Key Characteristics of Hard Bop:
Direct evolution from bebop, often with simplified structures and hard swinging rhythms.
More emphasis on bluesy inflections and gospel harmonies in funky jazz.
Major figures: Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Rollins, and John Coltrane.
Summary
Hard bop was marked by a stronger emphasis on rhythm and improvisation, diverging from bebop with its darker tones and simplicity.
It paved the way for later styles like funky jazz and had lasting influences on future generations of jazz musicians.