2. INFLUENCE of JAZZ
For over the past one hundred years jazz music has influenced
the lives of Americans. No matter what was happening in the country
there was always one constant, jazz. Throughout the twentieth century
iconic stars were being born and the walls of segregation between the
white and black people of America were being weakened. In many
ways jazz brought the country closer giving people a common interest,
music. Nobody could deny the catchy smooth vibrations coming out of
instruments being played by greats like Louis Armstrong.
It Is More than Just Music
3. INFLUENCE of JAZZ
• Jazz is said to be “Americas classical music,” which is hard to deny. Jazz was born in the
United States and has influenced other music all over the world. America has borrowed many
ideas from other countries for centuries, foods, electronics, fashion; but one thing for sure is
that jazz originated in the United States and that cannot be taken away. Although jazz was
played and listened too by whites and blacks, it cannot be denied that African-Americans ruled
the genre. As African-Americans began to migrate north in the 1920’s for the search of job
opportunities they brought a type of music that was shocking to many.
• The sounds of trumpets, saxophones, pianos, trombones, drums, and many other instruments
all being played together filled the ears of thousands for the first time. It was undeniable that
jazz was the most popular music in the early 1900’s. Jazz not only was listened to, but
redefined dancing and influenced hair and style for many, like the flappers. As jazz grew it
was being performed in dance halls, played on the radio, and eventually could be watched on
television. For years it was the heartbeat of America. (Jazz History)
4. History of JAZZ
Ronny Free, Mose Allison, and
Charlie Rouse, Dizzy Gillespe
captured them on film, posing with
Lester Young (with saxophone case),
Mary Lou Williams and Oscar
Pettiford (far right). – 1958
The Early Days of Jazz
• Jazz was born in the South in
the early 1900’s. It was a
special type of music inspired
by black folk music.
• African Americans developed
the smooth sound of jazz by
expressing strong emotions
through the unique rhythm
and sounds from many
instruments – something that
had never been done before.
5. History of JAZZ
• One of the most unique attributes of jazz is
that it was influenced by so many other
types of music. Jazz is composed of a
melting pot of music.
• Jazz played an important roll in
integration; for the first time black
musicians were playing and socializing
with white people openly.
• Unlike the blues, which was dominantly
played by the African-American descent,
jazz was played by all races. It did not
matter what race was performing the music,
the sound was adopted by everyone
eventually. (Evolution)
6. History of JAZZ
• Although jazz is influenced by multiple
genres of music, it is 100% American
born.
• Jazz influenced dance crazes throughout
the decades, like The Shimmy, The
Charleston, and The Toddle.
• Jazz is the foundation of nearly every
type of music that can be heard today.
• The genre of jazz is something that is
constantly evolving, even today.
• Improvisation is the defining feature in
jazz. http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/history_of_jazz.htm
http://youtu.be/ZJC21zzkwoE
(if the video does not load here is the url)
So.. What exactly is
The Charleston?
7. The MUSIC
The Instruments
When it comes to jazz the instruments make the music. There are many different types
of jazz which all include distinct instruments giving each kind of jazz individuality.
New Orleans Jazz Instruments-
• The Rhythm Section
• Drums
• Bass
• Piano
• Banjo
• The Front Line
• Clarinet
• Trombone
• Trumpet
http://jalc.org/external/j4yp_curr/#/new-orleans
8. The MUSIC
The Instruments
The Instruments of Big Band
• The Rhythm Section
• Piano
• Guitar
• Bass
• Drums
• The Brass Section
• 3-5 Trumpets
• 2-4 Trombones
• The Reed Section
• 3-5 Saxophones
• Clarinet
• Flute
http://jalc.org/external/j4yp_curr/#/big-band-express
Take a listen!
Count Basie – Swingin’ the Blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYLbrZAko7E
9. The MUSIC
The INSTRUMENTS
Not all jazz is the same.
Latin and Afro – Cuban Jazz uses instruments
that are not found in Big Band or New Orleans.
• The Congas
• The Bongos
• The Claves
• The Maracas
• The Guiro
• The Timbales
• The Cowbells
(http://jalc.org/external/j4yp_curr/#/latin-and-afro-cuban-jazz)
..and what do you get when this is all put together?
Click on the link to listen to Frank Grillo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7xGFrNQs2E
10. The MUSIC
“"In Jazz, improvisation isn't
a matter of just making any ol'
thing up. Jazz, like any
language, has its own
grammar and vocabulary.
There's no right or wrong, just
some choices that are better
than others." - Wynton
Marsalis
One way to recognize
jazz is by hearing
improvisation.
Improvisation is when the
musician creates fresh
melodies and changes the
tune up.
When the composer uses
improvisation, they really
make the melody
something special –
something unlike
anything else has ever
heard before.
http://www.apassion4jazz.net/improvisation.html
IMPROVISATION
11. The MUSIC
IMPROVISATION
The types of IMPROVISATION
• Melodic Improvisation
• Harmonic Improvisation
• Motivic Improvisation
IMPROVISATION gives musicians freedom
Musicians improvise when they feel it. They must
all play together to at the same time to keep the
rhythm smooth. http://www.apassion4jazz.net/improvisation.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=16tbq5izAj8 – Listen to Duke
Ellington as he masters the
techniques of improvisation.
12. Types of JAZZ
There are plenty of types of jazz – this is just another characteristic
of this kind of music that makes it unlike any other. Here are a few..
• New Orleans – 1900’s
• Chicago Style – 1920’s
• Swing – 1930’s
• Bebop – 1940’s
• Cool Jazz – 1940’s
The list of jazz goes on and on; from New Orleans to Fusion. These
five are the main types that changed music forever.
STYLES
13. NEW ORLEANS JAZZ
Where it all started New Orleans
• Jazz brought a sense of community and
life to the city of New Orleans, starting
around 1895. (Probably earlier)
• The diversity of ethnic groups New
Orleans had, brought music from all
over the world in one city.
• New Orleans Jazz was heard anywhere
and everywhere – picnics, funerals,
parades, sporting events.
• At the turn of the century a new form of music was hitting the streets, New Orleans Jazz.
Unlike the blues, New Orleans Jazz was the first music to be interracial.
• New Orleans Jazz is also known as Dixieland or Traditional Jazz.
• The person who claimed to invent jazz goes by the name Jelly Roll Morton, but in fact he
was the first person to write it down.
http://www.nps.gov/jazz/historyculture/jazz_history.htm
14. CHICAGO STYLE
Moving NORTH
So.. What is the big difference between New Orleans Jazz and
Chicago Style Jazz anyways?
• Jazz was no longer solely based in the
South when the 1920’s came around.
• Jazz started to spread to the North and
white musicians copied the styles they
heard in the Southern states.
• Out of the Roaring Twenties came a
new culture of gangsters and flappers.
Speakeasies opened up a new world for
musicians.
• The change of music in the North
could be identified by hearing a
few different instruments.
• The saxophone was added, out
with the banjo and in with the
guitar, long intros and endings,
solos, and the rhythm changed
from 4/4 to 2/4.
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073401374/student_view0/chapter5/
15. SWING
Who Doesn’t Want to MOVE
• Lets watch this first, this video will
revert anyone right back into the
30/40’s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH
ANNkKBSNU
• Swing is a descendent of Big Band, but
Big Band is not a descendent of Swing.
• This type of jazz is a fun and upbeat
type of music, sweeping folks off their
feet. It is hard not to tap along!
• Dance crazes overpowered the nation as
The Great Depression set in and Swing
gave people the chance to forget their
worries.
http://library.thinkquest.org/18602/history/swing/swingstart.html
16. BEBOP
• Only ten years later a new style of jazz was introduced, Bebop jazz. Bebop
jazz was much different from Swing, it was usually high tempo and had no
particular rhythm or beat.
• Originating in the 1940’s Bebop was “differing greatly from Swing, Bop
divorced itself early-on from dance music, establishing itself as art form but
severing its potential commercial value.”
• Bebop was a style not used for dancing to or relaxing to, it was an art form
that was created by musicians who wanted something that rebelled against
classic jazz. (jazz timeline)
Something NEW
17. LOUIS ARMSTRONG
• Possibly the most well recognized jazz musician that helped
break the barrier between whites and blacks is Louis
Armstrong.
• Born in New Orleans, Armstrong dropped out of the third grade
and put together a roaming group of kids and sang for money to
support his mother and family. (Famous Jazz)
• By 1920 Louis Armstrong was well known for his superb
trumpet and cornet playing. He is known for pieces like,
“What a Wonderful World” http://youtu.be/E2VCwBzGdPM
and “Hello Dolly!” http://youtu.be/Tp4PbwqNdwo
• It is clear how unique Armstrong’s voice is. His incredible note
range while playing the trumpet can be heard in songs like,
“Canal Street Blues.” http://youtu.be/ncXtUml7M6M
The MUSIC
18. LOUIS ARMSTRONG
• Armstrong’s distinctive voice not only was famous for his singing, but privately
was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement. Unlike the majority of
African-Americans, Louis Armstrong was widely accepted by the white
community.
• It seemed as if Louis Armstrong did not talk of his skin color, no one would
bother him for it. He became famous for his talents and was often criticized for
not taking advantage of his publicity for the civil rights movement. Although
publically Armstrong was not speaking out, “recent cataloging of over 600 reel-
to-reel tapes in the Louis Armstrong Archives has shown that privately he was
much angrier about racial injustice than he ever allowed his public to know.”(All
About Jazz #1)
• Armstrong became one of the few privileged African-Americans to live
luxuriously like a white man. He was accepted into fine hotels, restaurants, and
even into whites’ homes, which were all off limits to the average black man. (All
About Jazz #1)
BEHIND the MUSIC
19. ELLA FITZGERALD
• Another great in the jazz community was a woman by the name of Ella Fitzgerald.
Born on April 25, 1917, Fitzgerald was brought up in a world full of poverty and
abuse. She found herself at the Apollo Harlem Theatre in 1934 at the young age of
only sixteen, being applauded for her singing.
• Ever after that Fitzgerald was a star stealing the hearts of millions across the country.
“During the 50's and 60's Ella played with some of the greatest jazz legends of all
time, appearing on TV, in theatres and some of the most prestigious nightclubs
around.” (Jazz Legends)
20. ELLA FITZGERALD
• Fitzgerald played for some of the most well-known celebrity icons;
she was personally requested by Marilyn Monroe. (Jazz Legends)
• One thing intriguing idea about Fitzgerald was that not only was
she a successful African-American during and before the civil rights
movement; but she was also a successful female. In a time where it
was rare to see equality between men and women, Ella Fitzgerald
accomplished the impossible.
• Ella was and still is one of the all-time greatest jazz singers; her
music greatly influenced how jazz is looked at today.
http://youtu.be/dCOe9OLsR2U
21. The IMPACT of JAZZ
• Today when we think back about the history of jazz we might be surprised
to learn about how ‘America’s Classical Music’ was not always accepted
by all. Jazz created a controversy when it was first born; it was something
that had never been done before. Music teachers worried that the new style
of music would soon destroy classical music and disrupt children’s minds
watching a black man play an instrument or sing so well.
• Jazz was a rebellious and liberating art form to many; it meant stepping out
of the box and showing individuality. In cities playing jazz was considered
to be a sin and it could only be played in the red light district of cities,
brothels, or less desirable areas of town.
• The anti-movement against jazz went so far that people referred to it as the
devils music and prohibited it to be played in dance halls. It was
unthinkable at first for the white community to let a black man dominate an
art form such as jazz, but jazz could not be stopped. (Culture Shock)
22. The IMPACT of JAZZ
• At the turn of the century America was shocked to hear the
powerful, energetic, sweet sounds coming from bands like the Hot
Five. After the controversy of jazz in the twenties it was quite
apparent that jazz was not going anywhere.
• As the acceptance of this new music grew friendships were being
created between the segregated country. Great artists emerged from
jazz, forever changing the face of music and bringing a new
standard music to the table.
• In the early days of jazz music today we could compare it to the
controversial music styles of rap or hip-hop, but if it was not for
jazz the rhythmic sounds and beats from rap and hip-hop may not
have been created.
• Jazz music is a homegrown art form in the United States; it has
been a part of this country for the last century no matter the path
we have chosen.
TODAY
23. "Jazz Timeline." A Passion For Jazz. 2011. Web. 15 May 2013.
http://www.apassion4jazz.net/timeline.html
Bowden, Marshall. "ALL ABOUT JAZZ #1: Jazz Music, Jazz Artists, Jazz MP3s,
Jazz Reviews, Jazz Photos and More | AllAboutJazz.com." Jazz – All
About Jazz. Aug. 2011. Web. 15 May 2013.
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/articles/late0801.htm
"Jazz Legends - Ella Fitzgerald." Jazz Music Makers...for the People, Origins and
Influences of Jazz. 2007. Web. 15 May 2013.
http://www.jazz-music-makers.com/ella-fitzgerald.html
"Culture Shock: The TV Series and Beyond: The Devil's Music: 1920's Jazz."
PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. PBS, 2000. Web. 15 May 2013.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/cultureshock/beyond/jazz.html
“Jazz History." A History of Jazz. Apr. 2001. Web. 08 May. 2013.
http://www.historyjazz.com/jazzhistory.html
WORKS CITED
24. Vinet, Mark. Evolution of Modern Popular Music: A History of Blues, Jazz, Country, R &
B, Rock and Rap. Vaudreuil-sur-le-Lac, Quebec: Wadem Pub., 2004. Print.
"History of Jazz." History of Jazz | Black History in America | Scholastic.com.
N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2013.
"Gaia Framework Site." Gaia Framework Site. JALC, n.d. Web. 15 May 2013.
"Improvisation." Passion4Jazz. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2013.
"New Orleans Jazz History." National Park Service. NPS, n.d. Web. 15 May 2013.
<http://www.nps.gov/jazz/historyculture/jazz_history.htm>.
"All That Jazz History : Swing Era." ThinkQuest. Oracle Foundation, n.d. Web.
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