Difference between revisions of "Jazz"
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| − | '''Jazz''' is an American style of music that reflects Americans' roots in Africa and Europe and which originated in New Orleans during the early years of the 20th century. The first jazz recording was made in 1917 by the [[Original Dixieland Jazz Band]], who drew heavily on African-American influences, as well as the marching bands that were popular at the time. It combines African American music, ragtime, and the blues. Jazz is typified by complex collective musical [[improvisation]]. | + | '''Jazz''' is an American style of music that reflects Americans' roots in Africa and Europe and which originated in [[New Orleans]] during the early years of the 20th century. The first jazz recording was made in 1917 by the [[Original Dixieland Jazz Band]], who drew heavily on African-American influences, as well as the marching bands that were popular at the time. It combines African American music, ragtime, and the blues. Jazz is typified by complex collective musical [[improvisation]]. |
==Early Jazz== | ==Early Jazz== | ||
Revision as of 19:50, June 22, 2007
Jazz is an American style of music that reflects Americans' roots in Africa and Europe and which originated in New Orleans during the early years of the 20th century. The first jazz recording was made in 1917 by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, who drew heavily on African-American influences, as well as the marching bands that were popular at the time. It combines African American music, ragtime, and the blues. Jazz is typified by complex collective musical improvisation.
Contents
Early Jazz
Up until the mid-to-late 20s, jazz was a polyphonous music - typically, in a band such as King Oliver's, the cornet would hold the main melody, whilst the clarinet would improvise obligati above and the trombone would add a tenor line below. Gradually, a more solo-oriented style emerged, typified by the Hot Five recordings of Louis Armstrong, where instruments would take turns to solo.
At this time, black and white bands were comprehensively segregated, with the influence of the ODJB hanging heavy over the white bands.
Towards the end of the 1920, the big band sound started to emerge in two places, New York and Kansas City. In New York, the Broadway influence led to the development of sophisticated orchestras such as those of Fletcher Henderson or Duke Ellington, whilst in the Southwest, an earthier, bluesier style was developed by such leaders as Bennie Moten and Jesse Stone
Swing
The early 1930s were something of a lean time for jazz commercially, although fine recordings were being produced by Harlem bandleaders such as Ellington and Cab Calloway. By around 1935 the Swing style was being popularised by white bandleaders such as Benny Goodman, (although black bandleaders such as Count Basie, Jimmie Lunceford and Chick Webb had developed it) and by the end of the decade effectively became the sound of Western pop music.
Bebop
In reaction against the perceived commercialism of Swing, and its appropriation by white musicians, a group of young, dedicated musicians sought to create a style deliberately intended to alienate the casual listener. With its complex harmonies and irregular melodies, the Bebop style was treated with suspicion by older musicians.
After Bebop
During the 1950s the small group came to dominate mainstream jazz, assuming the form that survives to this day - a rhythm section of piano (playing sparse left hand), double bass and drums, with a front line generally consisting of 'horns' (ie, trumpets and/or saxophones).
Various movements emerged in the 1950s.
Hard Bop (epitomised by Horace Silver and Art Blakey brought a 'funky', bluesy feel to the music, in reaction to the complexities of Bebop.
Modal Jazz (pioneered by theorist George Russell and trumpeter Miles Davis) was also a contrast to Bebop, but sought to give the soloists ample space for expression by eliminating frequent chord changes.
Fusion
As rock became the dominant force in popular music in the 1960s, some jazz musicians decided to adapt to it, with varying degrees of success. Miles Davis' Bitches Brew and Herbie Hancock's Headhunters are two seminal fusion albums, although the genre itself remains controversial.
Today
Courses in jazz are offered at many major schools, and the number and standard of jazz musicians now is extremely high. Many high schools in the United States today also have jazz bands. A far remove from its New Orleans underclass roots, jazz is a thoroughly mainstream and respected art form.
Types of jazz include:
Some jazz musicians include:
