1. What Is Jazz?
“Man, if you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know.” – Louis Armstrong

2. Jazz plus Jazz = Jazz (Parks & Rec)

3. Is This Jazz? Duke Ellington

4. Is This Jazz? (Abercrombie, Erskine, Mintzer, Pattitucci)

5. Is This Jazz? (Tim Akers)

6. Some Eras and Genres in Jazz
New Orleans – (late 1890s-1920?)
Chicago – (1920s)
Swing – (1930s-40)
Bebop – (1940s
Cool Jazz, Hard Bop – (1950s)
Avant-Garde, Free Jazz – (1960s?)
Fusion (1970)

7. Possible Definitions/Descriptions of Jazz (Gridley)
Strict definition – improvisation and “swing feel”
Tradition
“Family Resemblances”
“Jazzness”

8. Improvisation and “Swing Feel”
Extemporaneous composition
Composition in the moment
Often seems spontaneous, but requires dedication and skill development
“Language”
“Swing Feel” (see notes on possible definitions of swing -
Term used to refer to a variety of concepts, most often either:
A description of the quality of performance (like “groove”), or
A potentially complex set of performance practices

9. Instrumentation What instruments (including voice) are used? Timbre
The distinctive sound/tone color of each instrument
Differences between 2 performers
Manipulation by a performer
Mutes – used by brass players to modify the character of the sound
Performance practices

10. Ensemble Small group: Big Band (or larger ensemble).
soloist(s), often primary focus of attention.
provides melody.
improvised solos
rhythm section.
typically piano and/or guitar, bass, drums.
provides rhythmic and harmonic foundation.
Big Band (or larger ensemble).
horn sections/rhythm section.
typically more focus on composition, arrangement, ensemble performance.