- jukebox Which changes occurred in the rhythm section during the 1930s? Packed with Ph.D.s, this scientific swing band performs a play list that leans heavily toward the heavens. Loops are played at 120 and 125 bpm. Unlike the concert band, the lead players should never be seated on the end of the section. Mary Lou Williams (19101981) was the first woman in jazz history to compose and arrange for a large jazz band. Ive listed someSwing Era Jazz musicians below. Other methods of embellishing the form include modulations and cadential extensions. For this reason the pianists left hand generally just played chords on the beat; while his right hand built rhythmic patterns around chords and chord tone, and especially guide tone often just playing arpeggios or simple bluesy licks. Jazz orchestras were necessary for the shows and musicals, and well-trained musicians were highly valued. Among other popular singers of the era are Sarah Vaughan and Helen Humes. Dance bands had made phonograph records since the days of ragtime. While bassists can use a bow to vibrate the strings, swing band bassists will frequently pluck the strings instead. Big bands started as accompaniment for dancing. Henderson was a pianist and excellent arranger who wrote most of the musical arrangements that helped launch the success of Benny Goodmans orchestra. initiated by a 4-measure lead-in improvised over a "C" chord ", One of the most common forms used in jazz a) Henderson's big band comprises five brass instruments (three trumpets and two trombones), four reed instruments (saxophones and clarinets), and a rhythm section consisting of piano, bass, One Oclock Jump: The Unforgettable History of the Oklahoma City Blue Devils. HWYo8~G ("b+[:r$%_r8oFdnIt]5pu\Kr|z~+au/I8vTm3}` e Print, p. 226, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Ellingtonians salute swing era clarinets", Discography of American Historical Recordings: Charles Magnante's Accordion Quartette with guitar and string bass on uscb.edu, "Leone Jump; Swing Low, Sweet Chariot; The Jazz Me Blues; Nursery Rhymes", Discography of American Historical Recordings- John Serrapica (aka John Serry) as a member of the Charles Magnante Accordion Quartette with guitar and string bass on uscb.edu, "JazzTimes 10: Great Modern Big-Band Recordings", "Difference Between Music Composer & Arranger", "Composer Maria Schneider Returns, With A Reckoning, On 'Data Lords', "Billy Strayhorn's Lush Life Beyond Duke Ellington", "Big Band Arranging: for composers, orchestrators and arrangers: 16, Solos and Backgrounds", "Inside the Score in the 21st Century: Techniques for Contemporary Large Jazz Ensemble Composition", "1910s Pop Trend: The Ragtime Dance Craze", "George Robert Crosby Bandleader, Vocalist, Actor, Radio/TV Host", "Sounds of Hot Jazz Stay Warm: Harry James Band to Play at the Mission", "Chapter 11. [21] Bandleaders are typically performers who assemble musicians to form an ensemble of various sizes, select or create material for them, shape the musics dynamics, phrasing, and expression in rehearsals, and lead the group in performance often while playing alongside them. Big bands maintained a presence on American television, particularly through the late-night talk show, which has historically used big bands as house accompaniment. Tenor saxophonist Lester Young (19091959) had a different approach than Hawkins and used a lighter tone. The dance duo Vernon and Irene Castle popularized the foxtrot while accompanied by the Europe Society Orchestra led by James Reese Europe. History of Big Band Jazz | JAZZ Aspen Snowmass Unlike the vague term 'orchestra', writing for a big band is a little more specific with regards to the instruments and number of players at your disposal. Paul Whiteman (18901967), called the King of Jazz, sought after talented top names for his band like Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke, and Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey. collectively . Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2000. Jazz played an important role in changing the socio-political landscape Kansas City, in particular, became a wide-open town totally ingrained in the entertainment business. 1930s, jazz expanded into a "Big Band" phenomenon with Duke Ellington They danced to recordings and the radio and attended live concerts. Count Basie played a relaxed, propulsive swing, Bob Crosby (brother of Bing), more of a dixieland style,[39] Benny Goodman a hard driving swing, and Duke Ellington's compositions were varied and sophisticated. He received his BA in Political Science from the University of Chicago and an M.A. The embellishments gradually became more adventurous, but they were generally always played with the melody in mind. - His bebop collaborations with trumpeter Dizzy GILLESPIE are some of the greatest moments in music history. Whiteman increased the size of his band into nearly symphonic proportion. PDF Chapter Six: "In the Mood": the Swing Era, 1935-1945 can keep track of this form by counting to 4 twelve times ("1 2 3 4", "2 2 3 4", "3 2 3 4", "4 2 3 4", "5 2 3 4", etc. As purely instrumental jazz As in midwestern cities, African American migrants transformed New York City in the first half of the 20th century. This lineup was typical of swing era bands. early style of "Hot Jazz" made its way north to Chicago and east to Apple Loops/REX/WAV. And they played a particular type of Swing in Kansas City known as: Kansas City Jazz. characterized by independent instrumental lines, massive harmonic dissonance, In the late 1990s, there was a swing revival in the U.S. here to see a YouTube clip on jazz improvisation). Along this historical journey, jazz has been Other swing bands in New York City and beyond incorporated the defining elements associated with the Kansas City tradition to which they added their own stamp, as did Chick Webb and His Orchestra (Stomping at the Savoy, 1934), and Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra (Flying Home, 1942). A. YouTube clip with basic piano chords). In the 1960s and 1970s, big band rock became popular by integrating such musical ingredients as progressive rock experimentation, jazz fusion, and the horn choirs often used in blues and soul music, with some of the most prominent groups including Chicago; Blood, Sweat and Tears; Tower of Power; and, from Canada, Lighthouse. Foremost, they accentuated the movement of choreographed dancers. He was also one Guitar, Organ, Banjo), - One or more solo During the "Roaring Soloist(s) - Western Michigan University | A top 100 national university They refuse to look for new ideas and new outlets, so they fall by the waysideIm going to try to find out the new ideas before the others do., I stole everything I ever heard, but mostly I stole from the horns.. When new arrangements are written, they are usually in the same style as the original band. uses "call and response" A versatile instrument, the saxophone is swing musics version of the Holy Trinity (celery, bell peppers and onions) used in Gumbo. clip on the basic jazz rhythm section. His famous recording Body and Soul, recorded in 1939, is known for its continuous smooth sound. (5) tromboneJoe Nanton, and (6) clarinetBarney Bigard. Characteristics of Music: Swing | The Music Studio In the late 1960s, Jazz trumpeter Miles George GERSHWIN (1898-1937): Rhapsody 1920s as a blending of blues, ragtime, and civic brass band traditions, then this This was in part due to a political organization called the Pendergast Machine which encouraged a nightclub atmosphere. jazz-fusion (combining elements of jazz and rock musics). Swing was hugely popular in fact, it was the pop music of the 1930s. But you also need to inject your style and personality into the music you make. performing at the same time." . [29], An arrangement's first chorus is sometimes preceded by an introduction, which may be as short as a few measures or may extend to a chorus of its own. Hickman's arranger, Ferde Grof, wrote arrangements in which he divided the jazz orchestra into sections that combined in various ways. . Four trombones comprised the trombone section. Many musical styles contributed to its birth. In the 1940s, an intensely virtuosic and In the mid-1930s and early 1940s, In the 1950s, Stan Kenton referred to his band's music as "progressive jazz", "modern", and "new music". black jazz musicians developed an intense American society, while standing as a brilliant reflection of American freedom A cheap & cheerful collection of up-tempo sax, trumpet and trombone funky licks featuring over 350 ensemble phrases, solos, trills and stabs for house, disco, electro-swing and quirky big-band-infused electronica. ensemble intimate style of Dixieland jazz into a harder-edged full band sound. 3 4 5 6 7 8, - Much like the stock in Gumbo, it provides an essential rhythmic and harmonic element in swing music. The saxophone section included two alto saxophones, two tenor saxophones, and one baritone saxophone. virtuosity. The repertoire of swing bands featured both jazz and popular arrangements. One of the most common forms used in jazz Duke Ellington wrote a song in 1931 titled It Dont Mean a Thing (If It Aint Got That Swing), and for a generation of music lovers those were words to live by. During the 1960s and '70s, Sun Ra and his Arketstra took big bands further out. style promoted by Ornette COLEMAN and John COLTRANE), which has raised a continuing controversy about Some large contemporary European jazz ensembles play mostly avant-garde jazz using the instrumentation of the big bands. Critics and historians refer to these groups as ghost bands because of the absence of their leaders and new personnel. Singers Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald came to the popular forefront during the swing era. basic chord progression of a 12-bar blues in the key of "C". New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. After 1935, big bands rose to prominence playing swing music and held a major role in defining swing as a distinctive style. rapidly with both black and white audiences. Rhythm Section: (click here to see a YouTube and Benny Goodman (who took jazz to Hollywood in the mid-1930s). sprouted up in different parts of the United States, and their uniquely DAVIS was one of the first jazz artist to cross over and adopt elements of During the 1920s, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, and Dallas were vital crossroads resulting in a mix of musical styles and cultures. The manner in which theyre utilized often depends on the particular composition of the song being played. below to see YouTube performance clips), - Asthe name of that sound suggests, Count Basie played in Kansas City. In the late 1940s, progressive The International Sweethearts of Rhythm became known for its strong riffing brass section, heavy percussion, rhythmic sensibility, and dynamic blues playing heard in Jump Children.. sense means to merge styles together. The Very important to the development of the Swing Bands were the role of the composer/arranger and the excellent stylizations of musicians. This approach was then further expanded upon by Bebop, which largely abandoned the original melody of the song to create brand new melodies based on an established chord progression this was known as a contrafact. Other bandleaders used Brazilian and Afro-Cuban music with big band instrumentation, and big bands led by arranger Gil Evans, saxophonist John Coltrane (on the album Ascension from 1965) and bass guitarist Jaco Pastorius introduced cool jazz, free jazz and jazz fusion, respectively, to the big band domain. Examples include the Vienna Art Orchestra, founded in 1977, and the Italian Instabile Orchestra, active in the 1990s. Jazz Summary - Ole Miss The jazz musician relies on three basic elements of the song to develop Here are the five most common swing band instruments, and how they commonly fit into swing music. Coast" Cool Jazz emerged, using (click Figure 1: The Western Jazz Quartet (piano: BERNSTEIN also incorporated Cool Check them out, though Im sure you would already recognise many of them. As jazz was expanded during the 1950s through the 1970s, the Basie and Ellington bands were still around, as were bands led by Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Earl Hines, Les Brown, Clark Terry, and Doc Severinsen. Figure 3: WMU's "Gold Columbia, Victor, and Decca were the three most important, Swing bands featured sections of trumpets, saxophones, and. Two other musical characteristics of swing bands are a return to the use of a flat-four rhythm and the use of block chords (chords with many notes moving in parallel motion). They can be used to produce a melody or harmony for nearly every musical style. Yes drums are like the Roux or Fil in Gumbo. Congress repealed the Volstead Act, a law that prohibited the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages, in 1933. Gloria Parker had a radio program on which she conducted the largest all-girl orchestra led by a female. Big band swing was at the forefront of jazz and underwent its most concentrated growth and development from 1930 . ways. Some bands were "society bands" which relied on strong ensembles but little on soloists or vocalists, such as the bands of Guy Lombardo and Paul Whiteman. art form--a unique blending of West African and Western European/American Hawkins made his first recording with Fletcher Henderson and he would go on to perform throughout England and Europe. During the 1930s, Earl Hines and his band broadcast from the Grand Terrace in Chicago every night across America. Keyboards are some of the most versatile instruments out there. The group emphasized correct technique and accurate playing and released its first recording in 1930. Alto sax player, arranger, and bandleader Jimmie Lunceford (19021947) studied music at and graduated from Fisk University in 1926. An Autobiography: John Hammond on Record with Irvin Townsend. %%EOF on the chart below to go to that interactive webpage). Orleans musicians begin to consolidate the drum section (bass, snare, cymbals) commonly found in early New Orleans brass bands. The string bass replaced the tuba and the guitar replaced the banjo. (As told to Albert Murray). It was all about showmanship which is epitomised by people like Cab Calloway and Fats Waller. (1899-1974): The A distinction is often made between so-called "hard bands", such as those of Count Basie and Tommy Dorsey, which emphasized quick hard-driving jump tunes, and "sweet bands", such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Shep Fields Rippling Rhythm Orchestra,[41][42]. Performers played, sang, danced, and presented shows and stand-up comedy in these large entertainment venues. Big bands uplifted morale during World War II. The trumpet section included four trumpets; the first was responsible for the highest notes. The Big Bands of swing were only able to acquire one-night stand performances and consequently suffered financially. The major "black" bands of the 1930s included, apart from Ellington's, Hines's and Calloway's, those of Jimmie Lunceford, Chick Webb, and Count Basie. The successful bands of the Swing Era featured carefully composed arrangements that held many talented players together. style known as SWING. Daniels, Douglas. Fletcher Henderson's career started when he was persuaded to audition for a job at Club Alabam in New York City, which eventually turned into a job as bandleader at the Roseland Ballroom. of American jazz. until you reach Trumpets provide a brash buzzing sound thats well suited for a melody. The Timeline of African American Music by Portia K. Maultsby, Ph.D. presents the remarkable diversity of African American music, revealing the unique characteristics of each genre and style, from the earliest folk traditions to present-day popular music. [14][12][13] [15][16][17][18], Twenty-first century big bands can be considerably larger than their predecessors, exceeding 20 players, with some European bands using 29 instruments and some reaching 50. Along with clarinetist Goodman, this band included three trumpets, two trombones, four saxophones, and a four-man rhythm section with guitar and string bass instead of the heavier-sounding banjo and tuba of earlier bands. Led by an African American woman, this 16-member band gained notoriety across the United States and in Europe, despite the challenge of imposed racial and gender restrictions. A distinctly new genre appeared in the late 1930s that to some degree bridged the differences between big band swing and bebop combos, and this was West Indian influenced music. Explain your opinion in a book review. Other research interests include African popular music and the use of oral history and photography in the study of culture. [33] During the 1930s, Count Basie's band often used head arrangements, as Basie said, "we just sort of start it off and the others fall in. Jazz vocalists during this era were highly influenced by horn players. Later, Important New York figures of this time include Chick Webb, Jimmie Lunceford, and Duke Ellington. Above all else, Swing music is dance music which means it was: This also meant it was incredibly commercial. In swing, the saxophone was usually featured as the leading instrumental soloist. listeners to love jazz.. Jam Blues features a 12-bar blues pattern with each subsequent varied chorus But there were a few instrumental popular hits, such as Count Basie's "One O'Clock Jump" and Miller's "In the Mood." 3. !/$v}5cliH_+B9W#PBY]C ::B) Big band - Wikipedia Others challenged him, and battle of the bands became a regular feature of theater performances. the late 1930s through the 1950s, Duke Ellington was one of the premier swing band So lets quickly take a look at all three genres: Lets dive into these characteristics of Swing Music a little deeper:
0 This pattern reinforced the second and fourth beat of every measure and later became known as a back beat. Additionally, the drummer accommodated the improvisations of soloists, providing a non-intrusive, laid-back swing pattern. New York was an important geographic area for the developments leading toward the swing style of jazz. The invention of ______ helped the record industry to recover in the mid-1930s. Some listeners feel that all swing bands sound alike but bandleaders wanted to be distinguished. Transcontinental trips often required a stop in one of these cities. Big bands generally have four sections: trumpets, trombones, saxophones, and a rhythm section of guitar, piano, double bass, and drums. While all my lessons are free, if you find them useful please consider donating to help keep them coming. [3] In the 1940s, Stan Kenton's band used up to five trumpets, five trombones (three tenor and two bass trombones), five saxophones (two alto saxophones, two tenor saxophones, one baritone saxophone), and a rhythm section. The style features prominent horn riffs, call and response between the brass and reed sections, and a consistent rhythmic drive derived from walking and/or boogie-woogie-type bass lines. [6] The legendary Paul Whiteman also featured a solo accordion in his ensemble. www.bigfishaudio.com. In swing, the saxophone was usually featured as the leading instrumental soloist. The term "big band" is also used to describe a genre of music, although this was not the . ,r,el1)PrPer{mN,cq+W!yJn?@}gU-+GACIuyrPgnpQCZ76il9%0A9b vr, Q&L Sc3oX *{{toV bWkwf>JW'wJj_]6/?NxP]-0_wg"2;WjbuY5sujr7g/sueG>trp~ZBV7]M(//m!o/f[^fb]x>f]aX?UnAW|ng)]s? Benny GOODMAN (1909-1986): Sing, Sing, Sing! In the 1960s, Gunther SCHULLER developed a style known as "Third Williams is considered one of the great jazz pianists and one of the greatest performers from Kansas City. Da Capo Reprint Paperback, 1973. Her vocal command expanded to an unusual range of four octaves, and she is best known for her melodic approach to scatting. Whiteman was educated in classical music, and he called his new band's music symphonic jazz. Please change your browser preferences to enable javascript, and reload this page. PDF Swing/Big Band Era (1930-1945) - Learn Jazz Standards completely abandoned the song's melody, which has made this style less syllables). Many bands featured strong instrumentalists whose sounds dominated, such as the clarinets of Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, the trombone of Jack Teagarden, the trumpet of Harry James, the drums of Gene Krupa, and the vibes of Lionel Hampton. Big Band Music - The Most Popular Swing & Jazz Orchestras - Jazzfuel violin--Ray Nance), (3) trumpet--Rex Stewart, (4) tenor saxBen Webster, Music is My Mistress. Since theyre built of brass, saxophones tend to produce a trumpet-like buzzing sound. These musical ensembles associated with the swing era. Swing music began appearing in the early 1930s and was distinguished by a more supple feel than the more literal 44 of early jazz. Since he could not read music, Webb memorized the arrangements. The rhythm section would typically include piano, string bass, drum set, with occasional additions of guitar or other chordal/melody instruments. Sweet Swing (people like Glenn Miller) had less improvisation, was a bit slower, restrained with a slight swing feel, and was for the white upper class dinner parties. baritone saxophone. [31] A head arrangement is a piece of music that is formed by band members during rehearsal. A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and which became popular during the Swing Era from the early 1930s until the late 1940s. Jazz began in New Orleans in the Although to jazz, Maria Schneider assisted Gil Evans, wrote for Woody Herman and Mel Lewis, and has conducted jazz orchestras around the world. Walter Page is often credited with developing the walking bass,[38] though earlier examples exist, such as Wellman Braud on Ellington's Washington Wabble from 1927. (optional) Select some text on the page (or do this before you open the "Notes" drawer). Trumpets A prominent feature of swing music is a leading brass section, which is often provided by a trumpet. West Side Story. The Glenn Miller band was one of the most popular bands of the Swing Era. of main line "crooners" such as Bing Although many of these bands maintain a close tie to the swinging style of the Basie and Herman bands, others exhibit a new and very individualized style. "Duke" ELLINGTON leaders in America. The Glenn Miller Band worked the best jobs and recorded often. Count Basies music contains lively rhythms, economic piano style, and a relaxed swing sound. This expansive eclecticism characterized much of jazz after World War II. The better jazz musicians of swing bands would form swing combos within most large bands. Jazz Big Band Seating Placement - Earl MacDonald Click Jimmy Rushing, Oklahoma City native and early member of the Blue Devils, set a style in blues and jazz that was imitated widely by others. [20] Arrangers frequently notate all or most of the score of a given number, usually referred to as a "chart". This also contributed to the loose and spontaneous feel of KC Jazz. Swing music was performed by a larger ensemble consisting of saxophones (sometimes also clarinets), trumpets, and trombones. Big Bands evolved with the times and continue to this day. a vocalist with piano or a small backup group. (called a "chorus"). - In the fifties, the emergence of rock-and-roll would capture broad attention as jazz moved in new artistic directions. Swing bands featured sections of trumpets, saxophones, and . How relevant do you believe the poem is today? And after years of economic depression, many Americans wanted to have fun. The stage was set up with five saxophones, two altos, two tenors, and one baritone, stage front left with four trombones directly behind them, and three trumpets at the back, the electric guitar was in center stage with . who specialized in less improvised tunes with more emphasis on sentimentality, featuring somewhat slower-paced, often heart-felt songs.[43]. Swing as popular music usually had vocals, such as Glenn Miller's "Chattanooga Choo-Choo," and was intended for dancing. Benny Goodman (19091986) was a superior clarinetist who began appearing on stage by the age of twelve. About Swing - University of Chicago (who are noted for their blending of Afro-Cuban jazz elements within a Improvisation: This can be best described as "composing and during the World War II years. Lead players (alto sax 1, trombone 1 and trumpet 1) should be in the middle of their sections, in a direct line with one another. [51] Fictionalized biographical films of Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa, and Benny Goodman were made in the 1950s. Q G("CH^T)daA]yg~zN^y>.g~01D%>7dj.|K+8'9 q*U!i|O1#"v\YOGtc_GD1JL. Samplephonics Soulful Brass Constructions New York: Oxford University Press, 1991. exemplifies many of the most innovative aspects of this new jazz style: (1) It [4] While most big bands dropped the previously common jazz clarinet from their arrangements (other than the clarinet-led orchestras of Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman), many Duke Ellington songs had clarinet parts,[5] often replacing or doubling one of the tenor saxophone parts; more rarely, Ellington would substitute baritone sax for bass clarinet, such as in "Ase's Death" from Swinging Suites. Byron Almen, Dorothy Payne, Stefan Kostka. Ra's eclectic music was played by a roster of musicians from ten to thirty and was presented as theater, with costumes, dancers, and special effects.[1]. Survey of Jazz Midterm 2 Flashcards - Cram.com Swing is a term often used in reference to large dance bands of 15 or more musicians that played written arrangements using improvised sections alternating with arranged passages by brass and/or reeds. trumpet. Big bands originated during the early 1910s and dominated jazz in the early 1940s when swing was most popular.