The History Of Jazz

• originated in the late 1800s -> today.• most likely originated in New Orleans- city’s

own musical traditions of band music for black funeral processions and street parades.

• other influences: Black Americans music, African rhythms, American band traditions and instruments, and European harmonies and forms.

Artistic Characteristics• performed: solo, by a small group of musicians

(combo), or by a big band. • combo has two sections: a solo front line of

melody instruments, and a back line of accompanying instruments called a rhythm sections

• rhythm section: maintains a steady beat, decorates the rhythm with syncopated patterns, and provides structure to support solos.

Musical Characteristics• Improvisation- the ability to create new music

spontaneously -> gives a fresh feeling at each performance. Jazz musicians: you must be able to play the role of a soloist, performer, reproducer of others’ ideas, and a composer.

• Syncopation- the uneven beats in jazz music. Jazz musicians take apart even, regular patterns and break them up, making them uneven. They also put accents in unexpected places.

Instruments - main brass instruments: trumpet, cornet, and

slide trombone. - other brass instruments: French horn, valve

trombone, baritone horn, flugelhorn, and electric trumpets.

- main reed instruments: clarinet and saxophone. - Flute- also considered a reed instrument- Drums of various types are played in jazz. The

drum set evolved until one drummer could play more than one percussion instrument at a time.

Instruments- Piano -solo instrument/ensemble instrument in the rhythm

section. - Other keyboard instruments: electric organs, electric piano,

and synthesizers controlled by a keyboard.- guitar- plays chords and melodies, and is mainly used in the

rhythm section. In the early days, banjos were also used. - Bass- plays the roots of the harmonies, and musicians

normally pluck a string bass.- Western instrument and Non- Western instruments-

mainly vibraphone and the violin.

Important Composers

• Dizzy Gillespie- trumpet player, composer, and bandleader.

• Coleman Hawkins- considered the first great tenor saxophone in the history of jazz.

• Thelonious Monk- jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader.

• Sidney Bechet- jazz clarinetist and saxophone player. • Fats Waller- popular jazz pianist.• Louis Armstrong- most popular jazz artist in history. He

was a trumpeter and singer.

• Duke Ellington- one of the leading figures of jazz. He was an outstanding composer and pianist.

• He started out as a member of the “Washingtonians,” and later took over the band.

• Ellington also composed longer works, film scores, and sacred music.

• Some of his most famous songs are, “Mood Indigo,” “Solitude,” and “Creole Rhapsody.”

Take the A Train• His composition with Billy

Strayhorn, “Take the A Train,” became the band’s theme song.

• There is syncopation, a rhythm section, and a solo line. It is also performed by a big band.

• This song is upbeat and celebratory. It is similar to black street parade music.

• Ellington was inspired by ragtime performers, and enjoyed playing the piano.

Rock ‘n Roll Music• Rock music is the leading type of popular music in many parts of the

world • Rock music exploded on the music scene and became popular in

the United States during the mid-1950’s. • During its early history, it was called rock ‘n’ roll because it made its

listeners want to get up and dance (also spelled “rock and roll”). • Much early rock was a rebellious style of music that particularly

attracted young people who wanted an alternative to the musical tastes of the adult and classical world.

• The first creators of rock music were pioneers who turned away from the music at that time, hoping to seek a new sound

• By the mid-1960’s, rock music dominated the music industry, and it still remains one of the most important categories of popular music.

Back…to the History of Rock ‘n Roll• In the beginning, rock n’ roll music was mainly the blend of :

(1) country & western music,(2) blues

• By the late 1940’s, a fast-paced blues style with an aggressive, driving beat emerged through recordings released by independent American record companies-aimed primarily at a black audience

• Two rhythm and blues standards that helped shape rock ‘n’ roll:• Roy Brown recorded “Good Rockin’ Tonight” (1947)• Wynonie Harris recorded “All She Wants to Do Is Rock” (1949)

– Big Joe Turner introduced the song “Shake, Rattle and Roll” (1954), which became a standard among rock music performers.

• Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed is often credited with introducing the term rock ‘n’ roll as part of his radio show in the early 1950’s:

• He used it to describe the high-energy rhythm and blues he played during his performances.• The term soon became the name for the new music.

• It was a great controversy:– loud volume– rebellious or sexually suggestive lyrics and performing style– It was claimed to be corrupting young people

Musical Characteristics

• There was a variety of rock ‘n roll music:– Rockabilly: a blend of rhythm&blues and country– Doo-wop: an African American vocal style

• 1950’s and 1960’s songs were about dances. They created and perpetuated such dances:– the Dog– the Funky Chicken– the Limbo Rock– the Stroll– and the Walk

• Many white singers would “cover” (perform their own versions of) black artists rock ‘n roll music…costing them profit and money

Artistic Characteristics• Psychedelic rock: (acid rock) it attempted to re-create the mind-altering effects of LSD and other

drugs through music. – Performances featured light shows and effects like the deliberate use of feedback.

• Feedback is the sound distortion created when a microphone picks up sound from an amplifier and sends it back through that amplifier.

• Garage rock: it emphasized crude or raw compositions with an unfinished and improvised sound rather than the polished sound of studio recordings– The name is symbolic of the sounds heard when bands practice in their garage

• Progressive rock: (art rock) it was an attempt to combine rock with elements of classical music, jazz, and other forms of music

• Punk rock: it was simpler, faster, louder, and more energetic than mainstream rock. It developed primarily in two cities: New York City and London.– The punk rockers brought an angry, rebellious attitude, unseen since the early days of rock

‘n roll.– The punk bands were emotional and some of them deliberately tried to offend audiences

with their use of profanity and their rejection of mainstream values and lifestyles• Alternative rock: it was harsher and more experimental than mainstream rock

– It was aimed toward teenage and young-adult listeners• Glam rock: rock music performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes,

makeup and hairstyles, especially glitter• Rock music had a very strong and emotional heavy metal sound, which made it extremely

recognizable and well-liked

Musical Instruments• Electric guitar• String bass OR later bass guitar • Drums• Optional piano and saxophone(s)– If they were used, they were normally the lead

instruments alongside guitars• Vocals

Rock ‘n Roll composers• Famous American Rock ‘n Roll artists:

– Elvis Presley– Little Richard– Buddy Holly

• Britain invasion-The Beatles arrived in the U.S. from England, bringing a rebirth to rock ‘n roll, simply called “rock.” It launched the visits of dozens of British rock ‘n roll bands that became known as the “British invasion.” They dominated the American charts of best-selling records.– The Beatles: A quartet consisting of George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul

McCartney, and Ringo Starr.– The Rolling Stones: The quintet was led by singer Mick Jagger who formed a

songwriting partnership with guitarist Keith Richards formed a songwriting partnership• Their aggressive, rebellious style them to rank among the most enduring rock

groups• The band, still led by Jagger and Richards, continued to perform into the

2000’s

Elvis Presley• He had a stillborn twin• Born in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, on

January 8, 1935• In 1954, Elvis began his singing career with the

legendary Sun Records label in Memphis• He starred in 33 successful films and often performed

record-breaking, live concert performances on tour and in Las Vegas.

• Globally, he has sold over one billion records, more than any other artist.

• Among his many awards:– 14 Grammy nominations (3 wins) from the

National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences– The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award which

he received at age 36– Named One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men

of the Nation for 1970 by the United States Jaycees

• Without any of the special privileges, his celebrity status might have afforded him, he honorably served his country in the U.S. Army.

• Elvis died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977

Jailhouse Rock & Blue Suede Shoes

• Two of Elvis’s most famous compositions was “Jailhouse Rock” and “Blue Suede Shoes”

• Jailhouse Rock was a type of rockabilly– It had guitars, drums, saxophones, and that type of

steel/country beat and rhythm– The vocals are not sweet like classical music. Instead, they

are fierce, as if bursting with emotion– The dances and choreography were matched to the

beats&rhythm of the song.• Blue Suede Shoes was a rock ‘n roll standard at that

time– It incorporated elements of blues, country, and pop music– It was considered one of the first rockabilly records– Like many songs in that time period and genre, this was a

notable cover done by Elvis Presley

Rock ‘n Roll Today• Today, rock music takes many forms

• Rock is so dominant that it can be defined as whatever music is played on popular radio stations

• Some stations play soft rock, which is rock music that is slow and quiet

• Others concentrate on older rock of the 1960’s, 1970’s, and 1980’s, often called classic rock

Bibliography

• "Rock and Roll." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 07 May 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_and_roll>.

• McKeen, William. "Rock music." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2011. Web. 7 May 2011.

• Tirro, Frank. "Jazz." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2011. Web. 8 May 2011.

• "Jazz." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 08 May 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz>.