1. Jazz Notes II

2. Characteristics of Jazz  The difference between New Orleans style Jazz and other cities’ Jazz was improvisation. –The true, individual improvisation was done in the South.

3. Blues and Ragtime contributed to the development of Jazz.  Jazz was very similar to Blues—except that it used the instruments of the marching band.  The Jazz musician used his instrument to “sing” and the Blues musician used his voice.  The dynamics, improvisation, and call and response are the same in Jazz and Blues.  The main difference between Blues and Jazz is syncopation—Ragtime’s contribution to Jazz.  Marching Bands contributed the instruments (Jazz was mainly instrumental), Blues contributed the improvisation, and Ragtime contributed the syncopation.

4.  Instrumentation was trumpet, trombone, clarinet, piano, bass, drums, saxophone, and voice. –New musical devices developed.  Riff: a rhythmic phrase repeated several times.  Break: a brief solo during a pause by the ensemble.  The material used by Jazz Ensembles came from many places. –W.C. Handy songs, Scott Joplin rags, pop songs, Blues songs, and traditional slave songs. –Most Jazz musicians were more interested in playing than in composing.

5. Branching Out  Storyville was shut down in 1917, and many Jazz musicians moved to new cities to play Jazz. (Chicago, Memphis, New York, West Coast)  Blacks left the South for better jobs in the North due to the opportunities created by WWI. Black workers were also treated better in the North.  Jazz was spread by many methods. –There were networks of vaudeville theaters across the country where musicians could perform. –The record became popular and easily accessible. –Radio spread the new genre.

6. Jelly Roll Morton  Creole pianist  One of the first to blend Blues and Ragtime.  The first published piece of Jazz music was his “Jelly Roll Blues.”  One of the earliest piano- trumpet duets was with King Oliver on “King Porter Stomp.”

7. Joe “King” Oliver  Started in New Orleans, then moved to Chicago.  Gave Louis Armstrong his start.  First black band to have numerous recordings.  “Doctor Jazz” was his most popular tune.

8. Sidney Bechet  Originally played the clarinet, but switched to soprano saxophone.  Used a heavy vibrato (wavy) sound.  He was one of the first to use overdubbing. –Played six instruments on one recording (Sheik of Araby).  Clarinet, soprano sax, tenor sax, piano, bass, drums

9. Louis Armstrong  Trumpet player that revolutionized Jazz singing and playing.  Accompanied many famous musicians— Bessie Smith, Sidney Bechet  Started in New Orleans, moved, to Chicago, New York, and Europe.  One of the most famous groups that he was in was “Hot Five.”  “Heebie Jeebies” was the first recording of a black artist scat singing.  Based his trumpet sound on the Blues singer’s voice.  Made Jazz solos longer and more virtuoso, and scat singing like a conversation.  Most famous songs: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Stardust, When the Saints Go Marching In, Hello Dolly, What a Wonderful World.  Made Jazz music acceptable to the white middle class—making Jazz a worldwide phenomenon.