The Evolution of Jazz and Blues

Important Dates of the African Diaspora

  • 1739: Significant event marking the beginnings of African influence in America.

  • 1740: Continuation of the historical timeline involving African Diaspora.

  • 1865: The end of the American Civil War, leading to the emancipation of enslaved Africans.

  • 1877: Rise of the Jim Crow laws, institutionalizing racial segregation.

  • 1900: A pivotal year in the African American experience, influencing cultural developments.

  • 1910-1970: Period highlighting major migration patterns of African Americans, particularly the Great Migration.

Key Figures in Blues Music

  • Muddy Waters

  • W.C. Handy

  • B.B. King

W.C. Handy: The Father of the Blues

  • Birth: Born in Alabama in 1873.

  • Contributions:

    • First to document the Blues, which prior to him was an oral tradition.

    • Helped shape the improvisational character of the Blues, facilitating its evolution into jazz.

    • Major works include “St. Louis Blues”, “Memphis Blues”, and “Beale St. Blues”.

    • He was both a cornet and trumpet player.

    • First blues artist to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

    • His documentation of the origins and styles of Blues played a crucial role in preserving its history.

W.C. Handy & the “St. Louis Blues”

  • Publication: Released on September 11, 1914.

  • Impact:

    • Groundbreaking work that helped mainstream the Blues music genre.

    • Blends traditional Blues with Ragtime music, reflecting the traditional culture of early 20th-century African Americans.

The Birth and Development of Jazz

  • Jazz emerged as a distinct musical form in New Orleans, a blend of Creole culture, African traditions, and European influences.

    • Jazz was recognized as the defining sound of the Roaring Twenties.

    • Influences include Blues, Ragtime, field hollers, work songs, and hymns from the enslaved African Americans, as well as popular brass band music from New Orleans.

How Blues Evolved Into Jazz

  • Classic Blues Form:

    • Consists of a 12-bar progression, built on the I-IV-V chords.

    • Cyclical harmonic structure, serving as the foundation for Jazz.

  • Blues Harmony: Formed the core of Jazz sound with blue notes.

  • Improvisation:

    • Expanded musical expression while retaining the Blues framework.

    • Incorporated extended chords (e.g., 7ths, 9ths, and 13ths), reharmonization, and chord substitutions.

Defining Components of Jazz

  1. Blues: Functions as the emotional and tonal language of Jazz.

  2. Ragtime: Provides the rhythmic structure fundamental to Jazz.

  3. Brass Bands: Their instrumentation was a key element that shaped Jazz.

    • The combination of these three influences resulted in the creation of Jazz.

Evolution of Blues into Jazz

  1. Basic Blues: W.C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues” (1925).

  2. Modern Jazz: Featuring artists like Louis Armstrong with “West End Blues” (1928).

  3. The Band vs. Solo Singer: Represented by Jelly Roll Morton in “Dead Man Blues” (1926).

Characteristics of Jazz vs Blues

  • Blues: Serves as the emotional foundation.

  • Jazz: Combines Blues elements with improvisational techniques and ensemble performance.

The Swing Era and Big Band Jazz

  • Emergence: Developed in the late 1920s and dominated through the 1930s and 40s.

    • Directly evolved from earlier Jazz styles such as New Orleans Jazz (known for collective improvisation), Chicago Jazz (emphasizing solo improvisation), and Blues harmony.

    • By mid-1920s, jazz bands began growing larger, requiring written compositions rather than relying solely on improvisation.

    • Swing became the mainstream popular music during the Great Depression, uniting both black and white audiences in dance venues across the nation.

The Big Bands and Their Structure

  • Swing was characterized by big jazz bands ranging from 12 to 18 musicians, typically featuring:

    • Saxophones

    • Trumpets

    • Trombones

    • Rhythm Section: Composed of piano, bass, guitar, drums.

Edward Kennedy (“Duke”) Ellington

  • Lifespan: 1899 - 1974

  • Notable Attributes:

    • An acclaimed pianist who was instrumental in the development of Swing / Big Band jazz.

    • Known for performances of “Take the A Train”, a piece that epitomizes the swing style.

Collaboration with Billy Strayhorn

  • Partnership:

    • Strayhorn was a classically trained pianist, arranger, and composer who collaborated with Ellington to create multiple works including suites and sacred music.

  • “Take the A Train”:

    • Composed by Strayhorn in 1939, this piece became Ellington's signature theme in the early 1940s.

Decline of Swing and Rise of Bebop

  • Factors Contributing to Decline of Swing:

    • Economic pressures of World War II made large bands unsustainable.

    • A recording ban from the American Federation of Musicians (1942–1944) curtailed recording activities.

    • Changing musical tastes shifted focus toward smaller, more intricate ensembles.

  • Emergence of Bebop:

    • Characterized by very fast tempos, complex harmonies, and prominent improvisation.

    • Key innovators included Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk.

The Shift in Cultural Role of Jazz

  • Transformational Impact:

    • Shift from dance music, performed in ballrooms, to more intricate listening experiences in small club venues.

    • Focus shifted towards musician virtuosity, transforming the cultural significance of jazz music.