Duke Ellington is an infamous American jazz composer. With awards like the Pulitzer Prize, the French Legion of Honor (1973), the Medal of Freedom (1969), the President’s Gold Medal (1966), and thirteen Grammy awards, Duke Ellington is known as one of the most influential African American figures of the twentieth century. Coming from a musical family, Edward Kennedy Ellington was born on April 29, 1899 to James Edward Ellington and Daisy (Kennedy) Ellington. James Ellington was a White House butler and his mother was a pianist. He was raised in Washington,
The Miles Davis Quintet was so influential to jazz history because they were able to spontaneously explore changes in temp, mood, and form walked a fine line between hard bop and free jazz that is still used today. The younger member in the quintet also energized Davis so he was playing with such
1. What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and Fleurette Africaine (Little Flower) by Duke Ellington. 2. Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington are two of the greatest geniuses contributing to the development of jazz music. Both pieces symbolize the civil rights struggle that was part of the changing America, which Armstrong and Ellington lived in.
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
Duke Ellington was a jazz author, conductor, and entertainer amid the Harlem Renaissance. During the developmental Cotton Club years, he explored different avenues regarding and built up the style that would rapidly bring him overall achievement. Ellington would be among the first to concentrate on melodic shape and sythesis in jazz. Ellington composed more than 2000 pieces in his lifetime. The Duke Ellington Orchestra was the "house" symphony for various years at the Cotton Club.
The event that I attended was conducted by Towson University's Jazz Faculty. The event was called “Black Lives that Influenced us.” The program was filled with selections from the African american jazz genre that were influential to Towson University's Jazz Faculty musicians. According to Jazz in America, Jazz originates from New Orleans about 100 years ago in the early 20th century, however, the roots of jazz can be found in musical traditions of both Africa and Europe (Jazz in america, n.d.).
Musicians in the Harlem Renaissance. On the 1920’s there was a thing called the Harlem Renaissance, there was many artist, musicians, dancers, etc. It gave people a chance to explore and find what they really wanted to do in life. For example Louis Armstrong, Florence Mills, William Handy, Duke Ellington, Paul Robeson, Adelaide Hall, Nina Simone were all singers from Harlem.
Duke Ellington The New Negro Movement or the Harlem renaissance was a time period in which negroes fought for equal rights. “It [The Harlem Renaissance] was a time of black individualism, a time marked by a vast array of characters whose uniqueness challenged the traditional inability of white Americans to differentiate between blacks” (BrainyQuote, 3 Clement Alexander Price) In this time period negroes lived freely upon themselves . They would stand up to racism and fight for equal rights through the arts. Duke Ellington expressed his feelings, thoughts, and emotions, through his art.
Despite Jazz being formed out of two cultures, the issues of social stratification and racial identity never had to be addressed in early jazz history. But as Jazz grew in popularity in a prewar 1930s America, the issue of racism started to form. As Jazz prospered within the economy and as a musical style, it’s roots revealed it’s racial identity. Jazz emerged from the music used formerly to entertain slaves and was a tool of rebellion against the white man, Jazz’z roots were very much embedded in slave culture. As free slaves moved north, they brought their Jazz influence to parts of the country such as Chicago and New York.
Cecil Taylor and Bill Evans can both be described as being pioneers of their time. These talented individuals are credited with developing new and fresh styles in the Avant-Garde of the 60’s and 70’s. Taylor and Evans both had their own individual styles that impacted the jazz status quo and influenced the works of many future jazz musicians. Cecil Taylor’s style was a major alternative to the popular modern jazz styles. Taylor chose not to employ the swing feeling in his works.
Jazz has become not only an art form for Harlem residents, but for other audiences as
White critics of jazz in America during the 1920s’ often hid behind racist stereotypes. Amiri Baraka, an African-America music critic, states that most white critics were being biased when writing about jazz and often expressed harsh views towards this music style because of its “slave roots”. White criticism in America didn't sensor their racist views toward African Americans. Maureen Anderson, a literature professor, states that: “ At the beginning of jazz’s worldwide popularity, the black population was victimized by the white racial propaganda that labels African Americans as black men of hostile, animalistic rapists, and savages” (137). By these remarks white critics denigrated African-American musicians based on their color and not
The Jazz Age was a term used by F. Scott Fitzgerald to refer to the 1920s, but it was also a cultural movement that took place in America during this decade. It was also known as “the Roaring Twenties”. This movement coincided with the end of the World War I and the introduction of the mainstream radio. The era ended with the crash of 1929, which caused the Great Depression.
In life, there are few things as organic as jazz music. With its raw sound and scrappy roots, one cannot help but feel life head-on whilst witnessing players produce such a sound right before their eyes. Its origins and arch are a product of the United States’ national culture and identity. Jazz exists not only as a deeply rooted form of art but as a cultural marker, particularly during its commercial peak in the first half of the 20th century. Its impact transcends borders, and it is one of the most beloved musical genres worldwide.
Despite the strict sanctions placed to curb it, drunk driving continues to be an unwavering predicament in most states. The number of offenders taken to custody by the police is rising by the day; with matters being made worse by the escalating number of underage drinkers. Many solutions have been put forth in an effort to reduce drunk driving and consequently reduce the number of road carnages. The persistence of the problem however calls for improved solutions. This paper forms a discussion on drunk driving and current prevention strategies; and proposes solutions to the unrelenting problem.
