Trumpeters Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis became two of the most inspiring American jazz musicians of all time by accessing very differently to their art. In the analysis an album from each artist, I choose “What A Wonderful World” of Louis Armstrong and “Kind of Blue” of Miles Davis. Louis Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971) was the most influential performer to affect a lot of Jazz musicians. He influenced the whole jazz population with his amazing voice and energetic trumpet. And he played a great role in the modernization of jazz.
Jazz is most often thought to have been started in the 1920s as this explosive movement, but that is in fact not the case. Starting in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century many African American musicians have started to explore their taste in improvising, and where better to do that than New Orleans (Anderson). Before the 1920s these jazz musicians have already been going around sharing the unique sound, but up until then, jazz had remained majorly in New Orleans. Interestingly during this period, a common jazz band would consist of a cornet, a clarinet, a trombone, and a rhythm section when at this period of time the clarinet is not commonly associated with being a jazz instrument, it moved into being the saxophone rather. A big
Developed by African Americans, Jazz combined elements of European and West African musical traditions with African American forms of ragtime compositions, minstrel numbers, and blues songs. (Batchelor, Bob. " The Jazz Age: Music.") Jazz music featured many instruments like the saxophone, drums, pianos, trumpets, clarinets, violins, etc. Jazz helped influence dance, fashion, and culture in the 1920s.
Jazz flouted many musical conventions with its syncopated rhythms and improvised instrumental solos. Improvisation meant that no two performances would ever be the same (Green). Thousands of city dwellers flocked night after night to see the same performers. Harlem's Cotton Clubs boasted the talents of Duke Ellington. Singers such as Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday popularized blues and jazz vocals.
As a by-product of the Great Migration of African Americans to the north, city such as New York became capitals of African American culture. In his book, The History of Jazz, Ted Gioia notes that Harlem specifically became known as the panicle of black culture and high black society during the 1920’s. This period of black cultural development would later be formally known as the Harlem Renaissance. While the Harlem Renaissance is traditionally viewed as boom of African American artisanship and prosperity the truth, especially in regards to jazz history, is that while black culture was booming the quality of living for many African Americans was not. Gioia describes this duality as the two Harlems.
Initially, bebop jazz was characterized by significantly more complex chord progressions and melodies with a strong focus on the rhythm section. Although the irregular and unpredictable lengths of solos and increased sophistication made the music less suitable for dancing, it was nonetheless entertaining. Jazz had gained higher respect from a widestream audience, as it was no longer just dance music. Bebop lasted well into the 1950s, and the next stylistic revolution came during the revolutionary decade of the 1960s: fusion. Jazz fusion came into fruition when musicians combined aspects of jazz harmony and improvisation with styles such as funk, rock, rhythm and blues, and Latin jazz.
Jazz, in nature contains many characteristics of black people because its origin was from an African music. When we talk about jazz as a black music, the black here refer to African-American. African music is characterized by collective performance as a musical element. Several people played together and danced and enjoyed music. That's why rhythm play was more important than melody in Jazz eventually in Hancock’s music.
After listening to the History of Jazz by Ken Burns, Jazz brings a calmness to my soul. It is everchanging’ it has transformed racism, and segregation in a time where African-American and Caucasian people could unite. Jazz is feel good music, it makes you swoon, dance, sing, and transform into another place. For a novice, Jazz requires patience and time.
There are many reasons behind so many new forms of jazz; however three in particular stand out to me the most: to make others happy, in response to the war, and the need to experiment. In the 1930’s, jazz reached new levels of sophistication in the Swing Era, reflecting America’s need for self-esteem following the Great Depression. The World War II era witnessed rapid changes in American tastes as well as logistics of making music. The decline of large ensembles in favor of the jazz combo was the major reason for the style to head towards bebop.
(“Jazz is a music style that first gained popularity in southern cities like New Orleans around the turn of the 20th century. It is a very emotional brand of music that reflects the trials and hardships felt by the people who performed its tunes. A Jazz concert can be a fantastic opportunity to not only hear some great music, but learn about its cultural significance in American history. All of this can be reflected in a well-written report about a jazz concert”.) by Bill Varoskovic. The latest concert that I attended On wednesday october 21,2015 was the cumberland county college jazz showcase.
Jazz music has its roots in Black slave culture and arts. The white culture of the time saw these influences as “savage” and deteriorating to their music. Some saw the role of jazz as a platform for a change. Jazz was a way to bring together the different cultures. During the 1920s and 1930s jazz began to be popular and interesting among young people, black and whites.
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First it was performed in restaurants , night clubs, ballrooms before being actually taught in studios. The one reason why jazz have to be taught in studios was because there was a high demand that people wanted to dance jazz instead of just dancing ballet. This type of dance started to expand as the years past because people wanted to see more movement and have a better rhythm into the dance too. The first person to step on stage and actually perform a jazz dance was Joe Frisco at the vaudeville in 1910. He used to perform with his suit , his hat ,and his cigarette .
Jazz is very interesting music. It can be slow or fast. It can be sad or happy. One thing about jazz is that it is always catchy! Jazz is an old form of music that developed over the years.
From Bill Evans to Chick Corea, swing jazz to fusion, improvisers from all over the world have been taking cracks at this classic tune and each time, creating something new. Jazz has been referred to by free jazz innovator Ornette Coleman as being the “...only music in which the same note can be played night after night, but differently each time.” The act of spontaneous improvisation, feeling the music with one's instinct rather than thinking about the notes coming out of one’s instrument, forces the improviser to create different ideas every time. Since one’s stream of conscious and unconscious thought is never the same at any two points in time, there will never be a time where a soloist will play the same solo
