History of Jazz-1890s-1930s
Origins
In 1619, the first African slaves were brought to America to help in the production of crops.
The Africans brought their culture and traditions which included music.
Often working on the fields, the African slaves sang songs where one person would sing a short phrase and be responded with a group singing another phrase.
This type of singing was known as 'call and response'. here
A-Questions
1) What is this song about?
2) What is the tempo (speed) of the song?
3) What emotion is conveyed and explain how?
4) Is there call and response in this song?
Development of Jazz
The development of jazz progresses into new styles approximately every ten years.
1890's- The Ragtime
The ragtime is composed for the piano.
It is mainly influenced by the combination of European and Blues music.
The fact that it has set sections and no improvisation in the music, illustrates the European influence.
Also, the swing, syncopated rhythm portrayed in the music shows characteristics of blues music. This concept of syncopation was where there was an emphasis on the weak or unexpected beats.
The left hand style of playing was further developed throughout the 1920s.
This new style was known as 'stride' in the 1930's and 1940's.
This new technique made the left hand part more complex by playing an octave lower and jumping up to play part of the melodic harmony.
B-Questions
1) What is a ragtime?
2) What instrument was this music mainly written for?
3) What influenced the ragtime style?
4) What is the musical style where the unexpected beats are accented?
5) How did the left hand role in the rag time change in the 1920's?
(Watch the video above)
Composers of Ragtime
* Scott Joplin
* James Scott
* Eubie Blake
* Tom Turpin
* Jelly Roll Morton
1900's- New Orleans
In New Orleans, there were a mixture of cultures and musical traditions.
These were Europeans from France, Spain and England as well as two different classes of African Americans.
The creoles, were descendents from African and French slaves that were freed earlier than the other African Americans. The creoles were also much wealthier and educated in French and English than the African Americans.
The combination of the mixed influences of the European and the traditional African American music resulted in the genre known as 'Jazz'.
There were many bars, dance halls and brothels which provided opportunities for the musicians to perform in.
A New Orleans music ensemble consisted of trombone, cornet and clarinet usually playing the melody. The rhythm section consisted of double bass or tuba playing the bass line, drums, banjo, guitar and occasionally piano.
The music sounds like a march, with a emphasis on the first and third beat.
The structure of the music usually follows the 12 bar blues harmonic progression.
There is a introduction section, then a chorus where all instruments improvise at the same time and then each musician would have a solo improvisation section.
Watch a New Orleans style band perform. here
1910- Dixieland
Dixieland music co-existed with New Orleans music. Dixieland music generally meant white jazz, where as New Orleans music was referred to as black jazz.
Dixieland music was more technical, less expressive and harmonically correct.
Features such as glissandi, slide, vibrato and solo improvisations applied in New Orleans music were rarely used in white music.
This particular style of music was popular with the white American audiences.
C-Questions
1) What is the difference between 'New Orleans' and 'Dixieland' music.
2) Compare the two video above and discuss the following concepts:
1920s- Chicago
Many African Americans left for New York and Chicago during 1915 looking for work and opportunities.
Musicians like King Oliver and Louis Armstrong moved to the lower part of Chicago.
The New Orleans music changed from the slow, chilled style to a more faster, up beat and energetic, which depicted the busy city life.
With the influx of African American musicians, the white performers such as Benny Goodman (clarinet) were also greatly influenced. The white bands still used the popular structure of A-A-B-A and not the twelve bar blues.
Below is a performance by Benny Goodman and his band.
The recording industry assisted in making jazz popular.
Many recording companies were hesitant to record jazz music as it was often portrayed as music for the low class or the rebellious.
Musicians such as Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey and Louis Armstrong became famous due to their recordings.
Solo instrumental arrangements became more of a important role in jazz bands.
The music would usually open with an ensemble, then each instrument would play a solo and it would end with the ensemble playing again.
Short documentary on Louis Armstrong. Answer the following questions.
D-Questions-
Louis Armstrong Part 1
1) When was Louis Armstrong born?
2) What two instruments was Louis Armstrong famous for?
3) What is scatting?
4) Louis Armstrong would scat when he ________ his lyrics.
5) How did Louis Armstrong manage to get out of New Orleans and go to Chicago?
Louis Armstrong Part 2
1) Who were the two upcoming famous jazz musicians?
2) What were the names of the jazz vocalists that Louis Armstrong influenced?
1930s- Swing
Jazz music became more popular in New York, as it was used for dance music in great halls. Films and radio broadcasts also helped the era of big bands and swing.
With the popularity of this genre, number of band members ( trumpets, trombones and saxophones) increased which meant that there was less freedom for improvisation.
Arrangements needed to be written for the different instrumental parts so that the music would not clash.
Performers needed to become musically literate (able to read music written) and disciplined to be able to play in a large swing band.
Famous arrangers of this swing, big band style were:
* Duke Ellington
* Count Bessie
* Fletcher Henderson
The arrangers wrote short riffs (repetitive melodic pattern) for trumpet, trombone and saxophone sections to create excitement and suspense.
Answer the following questions.
E-Questions
1) During the 1930's, in which city did jazz become popular and explain why?
2) Why would there be less improvisation in band swing music?
3) What is the role of a music arranger?
4) As a performer in the big swing band, what were the two essential things that they needed to do?
5) What is a riff?
Below is an arrangement and performance by Duke Ellington called
"It Don't Mean a Thing".
Below is an arrangement and performance by Count Bessie called:
"Swinging the Blues"
F-Questions
1) Count Bessie and Duke Ellington are playing what instruments in both videos above?
2) What is the name of the object that the brass players use to dampen the sound of their instruments?
3) Do you think it is important to read music? Why?