Jazz Notes IIJazz Notes II

Characteristics of JazzCharacteristics of Jazz

The difference The difference between New Orleans between New Orleans style Jazz and other style Jazz and other cities’ Jazz was cities’ Jazz was improvisation.improvisation.– The true, individual The true, individual

improvisation was done improvisation was done in the South.in the South.

Blues and Ragtime contributed to Blues and Ragtime contributed to the development of Jazz.the development of Jazz.

Jazz was very similar to Blues—except that it used the Jazz was very similar to Blues—except that it used the instruments of the marching band.instruments of the marching band.

The Jazz musician used his instrument to “sing” and the The Jazz musician used his instrument to “sing” and the Blues musician used his voice.Blues musician used his voice.

The dynamics, improvisation, and call and response are The dynamics, improvisation, and call and response are the same in Jazz and Blues.the same in Jazz and Blues.

The main difference between Blues and Jazz is The main difference between Blues and Jazz is syncopation—Ragtime’s contribution to Jazz.syncopation—Ragtime’s contribution to Jazz.

Marching Bands contributed the instruments (Jazz was Marching Bands contributed the instruments (Jazz was mainly instrumental), Blues contributed the improvisation, mainly instrumental), Blues contributed the improvisation, and Ragtime contributed the syncopation.and Ragtime contributed the syncopation.

Instrumentation was trumpet, trombone, clarinet, Instrumentation was trumpet, trombone, clarinet, piano, bass, drums, saxophone, and voice.piano, bass, drums, saxophone, and voice.– New musical devices developed.New musical devices developed.

Riff: a rhythmic phrase repeated several times.Riff: a rhythmic phrase repeated several times. Break: a brief solo during a pause by the ensemble.Break: a brief solo during a pause by the ensemble.

The material used by Jazz Ensembles came from The material used by Jazz Ensembles came from many places.many places.– W.C. Handy songs, Scott Joplin rags, pop songs, Blues W.C. Handy songs, Scott Joplin rags, pop songs, Blues

songs, and traditional slave songs.songs, and traditional slave songs.– Most Jazz musicians were more interested in playing Most Jazz musicians were more interested in playing

than in composing.than in composing.

Branching OutBranching Out

Storyville was shut down in 1917, and many Jazz Storyville was shut down in 1917, and many Jazz musicians moved to new cities to play Jazz. musicians moved to new cities to play Jazz. (Chicago, Memphis, New York, West Coast)(Chicago, Memphis, New York, West Coast)

Blacks left the South for better jobs in the North Blacks left the South for better jobs in the North due to the opportunities created by WWI. Black due to the opportunities created by WWI. Black workers were also treated better in the North.workers were also treated better in the North.

Jazz was spread by many methods.Jazz was spread by many methods.– There were networks of vaudeville theaters across the There were networks of vaudeville theaters across the

country where musicians could perform.country where musicians could perform.– The record became popular and easily accessible.The record became popular and easily accessible.– Radio spread the new genre.Radio spread the new genre.

Jelly Roll MortonJelly Roll Morton

Creole pianistCreole pianist One of the first to blend One of the first to blend

Blues and Ragtime.Blues and Ragtime. The first published piece of The first published piece of

Jazz music was his “Jelly Jazz music was his “Jelly Roll Blues.”Roll Blues.”

One of the earliest piano-One of the earliest piano-trumpet duets was with trumpet duets was with King Oliver on “King Porter King Oliver on “King Porter Stomp.”Stomp.”

Joe “King” OliverJoe “King” Oliver

Started in New Started in New Orleans, then moved Orleans, then moved to Chicago.to Chicago.

Gave Louis Armstrong Gave Louis Armstrong his start.his start.

First black band to First black band to have numerous have numerous recordings.recordings.

““Doctor Jazz” was his Doctor Jazz” was his most popular tune.most popular tune.

Sidney BechetSidney Bechet

Originally played the Originally played the clarinet, but switched to clarinet, but switched to soprano saxophone.soprano saxophone.

Used a heavy vibrato Used a heavy vibrato (wavy) sound.(wavy) sound.

He was one of the first to He was one of the first to use overdubbing.use overdubbing.– Played six instruments on Played six instruments on

one recording (Sheik of one recording (Sheik of Araby).Araby). Clarinet, soprano sax, tenor Clarinet, soprano sax, tenor

sax, piano, bass, drumssax, piano, bass, drums

Louis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong Trumpet player that revolutionized Jazz Trumpet player that revolutionized Jazz

singing and playing.singing and playing. Accompanied many famous musicians—Accompanied many famous musicians—

Bessie Smith, Sidney BechetBessie Smith, Sidney Bechet Started in New Orleans, moved, to Chicago, Started in New Orleans, moved, to Chicago,

New York, and Europe.New York, and Europe. One of the most famous groups that he was in One of the most famous groups that he was in

was “Hot Five.”was “Hot Five.” ““Heebie Jeebies” was the first recording of a Heebie Jeebies” was the first recording of a

black artist scat singing.black artist scat singing. Based his trumpet sound on the Blues Based his trumpet sound on the Blues

singer’s voice.singer’s voice. Made Jazz solos longer and more virtuoso, Made Jazz solos longer and more virtuoso,

and scat singing like a conversation.and scat singing like a conversation. Most famous songs: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Most famous songs: Ain’t Misbehavin’,

Stardust, When the Saints Go Marching In, Stardust, When the Saints Go Marching In, Hello Dolly, What a Wonderful World.Hello Dolly, What a Wonderful World.

Made Jazz music acceptable to the white Made Jazz music acceptable to the white middle class—making Jazz a worldwide middle class—making Jazz a worldwide phenomenon.phenomenon.