1960's
The first of many new styles in the 1960's is called Modal Jazz. This style of jazz started to venture passed the major and minor scales to form altered intervals between common tones. Soloists could now switch keys and form new harmonics when playing. This became especially useful with pianists, guitarists, trumpeters, and saxiphonists. Bill Evans is one pianist who is famous for his mark on Modal Jazz.
Another style of Jazz during the 60's is called free jazz. The name of this style pretty much explains itself but it is when soloists follow no "rules". Two musicians are said to be the founders of free jazz and they are Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane. At first it was debated by many other musicians on whether this style of music should even be considered music because it did not follow any set melody or tempo. Free Jazz then found its place in "underground jazz" even thought Free Jazz continues to influence many today.
The next style which was originated in the 60's is called Sould Jazz. Soul Jazz branched off from Hard Bop and was then one of the most popular Jazz styles in the 1960's. In this style, the soloist improvises with chords to create an exciting rhythm with a varying bassline. Once again Horace Silver was able to make an influence and help bring Soul jazz to a popular style of Jazz by playing the piano and later on the organ gained a part in Jazz.
The last style of of Jazz in this decade is called the Groove. It is another branch off Soul Jazz and draws its tones from the Blues and focuses mainly on rhythm. Somtimes refered to as "Funk" music concentrates on a continuous rhythm (hook) complimented lightly by other melodies either by instruments or lyrics. Groove is considered full of joyous emotions so it is inviting to dancers in either slow bluesy vamps or up-beat. Solos are kept to beat and are small so they dont play a huge role in this style.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
1950's
1950's
The first new style during this time persiod is called Mainstream and came at the end of the Big Band era (1930's-1940's). The large ensembles broke into smaller groups even though the other older styles, such as the Swing, were still popular and being played. As a matter of fact, some of the finest players of Swing could be heard during this time period except the change would be that there would be chrodal improvistions instead of following strictly to the melody during solos.
The next is called Cool Style and is evolved directly from Bebop from the late 1940's. Cool Jazz is a smoothed out mixture of Bop (Bebop) and Swing, where the tones are harmonic and dynamics are softended. Nicknamed "West Coast Jazz" because of its orgin in the the Los Angelos area, Cool Jazz became nationwide by the end of the 1950's with significant contributions from numerous musicians from Los Angelos and also the East Coast.
Another style of Jazz that originated in the 1950's is called Hard Bop. It is an extension of Bebop but includes the style of Cool Jazz from the West. The melodies are more "soulful" and borrows the style of Ryhthm and Blues and even a sound of the Gospel themes. The ryhthm is more sofisticated than before and also more diverse. A pianist famous for playing with this style is Horace Silver. Hard Bop survived until the 1960's when it then split into Post Bop, Modal Jazz and Soul Jazz which will be discussed later. A revival of Hard Bop came in the early 1990's but soon died out once again.
The last major jazz style in the 1950's is called Bossa Nova. Bossa Nova is a mix of West Coast Cool, European classical harmonies, and Brazilian samba ryhthms. Another name which is more commonly known for Bossa Nova is Brazilian Jazz and was founded in the 1950's but came to the United States in 1962 and was either sung in Portuguese or English (or both). This style of acoustic guitar rhythms and simple melodies was pioneered by Brazilians Joao Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim. This style became popularized in the West Coast by musicians like guitarist Charlie Byrd and saxiphonist Stan Getz.
The first new style during this time persiod is called Mainstream and came at the end of the Big Band era (1930's-1940's). The large ensembles broke into smaller groups even though the other older styles, such as the Swing, were still popular and being played. As a matter of fact, some of the finest players of Swing could be heard during this time period except the change would be that there would be chrodal improvistions instead of following strictly to the melody during solos.
The next is called Cool Style and is evolved directly from Bebop from the late 1940's. Cool Jazz is a smoothed out mixture of Bop (Bebop) and Swing, where the tones are harmonic and dynamics are softended. Nicknamed "West Coast Jazz" because of its orgin in the the Los Angelos area, Cool Jazz became nationwide by the end of the 1950's with significant contributions from numerous musicians from Los Angelos and also the East Coast.
Another style of Jazz that originated in the 1950's is called Hard Bop. It is an extension of Bebop but includes the style of Cool Jazz from the West. The melodies are more "soulful" and borrows the style of Ryhthm and Blues and even a sound of the Gospel themes. The ryhthm is more sofisticated than before and also more diverse. A pianist famous for playing with this style is Horace Silver. Hard Bop survived until the 1960's when it then split into Post Bop, Modal Jazz and Soul Jazz which will be discussed later. A revival of Hard Bop came in the early 1990's but soon died out once again.
The last major jazz style in the 1950's is called Bossa Nova. Bossa Nova is a mix of West Coast Cool, European classical harmonies, and Brazilian samba ryhthms. Another name which is more commonly known for Bossa Nova is Brazilian Jazz and was founded in the 1950's but came to the United States in 1962 and was either sung in Portuguese or English (or both). This style of acoustic guitar rhythms and simple melodies was pioneered by Brazilians Joao Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim. This style became popularized in the West Coast by musicians like guitarist Charlie Byrd and saxiphonist Stan Getz.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
1940's
1940's
The first style of music formed in the 1940's was called Bebop which many of us today are most familiar of due to listening to the radio. It's main founders were alto saxophonist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. Before this, Jazz improvisions followed the melodic line and beat. Bebop soloists engaged in chordal improvation, often avoiding the melody. THe improvisions were as long and free as possible. Bebop differed from Swing because Bebop divorced itself as a dancing music and established itself more as an art and became the basis for the the different styles later on.
The other style during the 40's is called Vocalese. Vocalese was formed by jazz critic Leonard Feather and composed lyrics into the Jazz music. Vocalese slowly grew in popularity and reached its highest point between 1957 and 1962. Vocalese was preformed by small orchestra and rarely ventured into other styles of Jazz. Famous preformers of this style are Eddie Jefferson and Jon Hendricks.
The first style of music formed in the 1940's was called Bebop which many of us today are most familiar of due to listening to the radio. It's main founders were alto saxophonist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. Before this, Jazz improvisions followed the melodic line and beat. Bebop soloists engaged in chordal improvation, often avoiding the melody. THe improvisions were as long and free as possible. Bebop differed from Swing because Bebop divorced itself as a dancing music and established itself more as an art and became the basis for the the different styles later on.
The other style during the 40's is called Vocalese. Vocalese was formed by jazz critic Leonard Feather and composed lyrics into the Jazz music. Vocalese slowly grew in popularity and reached its highest point between 1957 and 1962. Vocalese was preformed by small orchestra and rarely ventured into other styles of Jazz. Famous preformers of this style are Eddie Jefferson and Jon Hendricks.
Friday, December 3, 2010
1930's
1930's
In this time period, a style of Jazz came about which was/is called "Swing". Before this, most Jazz groups were big bands and only performed small shows. Swing quickly became the dance music of the time due to its robust and invigorating sound. It brought people to dance halls almost every night and increased the popularity of Jazz. Swing includes quick and short melodies with thematic solos which made this type of music, of its own kind. Swing made a short revival in the 1990's when fueled by the "techno" music in Europe and America which brought back some old dances and small band concerts.
Another style during the 30's which was not as big as the Swing but seemed fitting during the time of the Great Depression when peoples morals were tested and people had to look towards somthing for enjoyment.. This style is called the Kansas City Style for its orgin in Kansas City. It was made up about a 8 person band and showcased highly energetic solos but still held a soulful and blusey sound to it
The last style during the 30's is called Gypsy Jazz. It originated by a French guitarist named Django Reinhhardt. It is an odd mix of American Swing, French dance hall "musette" and the folk strains of Eastern Europe. Another name for this style is Jazz Manouche and it contains quick cadences and drving rhythms. The types of intruments to give this style a certain sound is nylon stringed guitars, occasional violins and percussion as beat. Solos passed between guitarists and this style usually played in European Bars and small venues in America.
In this time period, a style of Jazz came about which was/is called "Swing". Before this, most Jazz groups were big bands and only performed small shows. Swing quickly became the dance music of the time due to its robust and invigorating sound. It brought people to dance halls almost every night and increased the popularity of Jazz. Swing includes quick and short melodies with thematic solos which made this type of music, of its own kind. Swing made a short revival in the 1990's when fueled by the "techno" music in Europe and America which brought back some old dances and small band concerts.
Another style during the 30's which was not as big as the Swing but seemed fitting during the time of the Great Depression when peoples morals were tested and people had to look towards somthing for enjoyment.. This style is called the Kansas City Style for its orgin in Kansas City. It was made up about a 8 person band and showcased highly energetic solos but still held a soulful and blusey sound to it
The last style during the 30's is called Gypsy Jazz. It originated by a French guitarist named Django Reinhhardt. It is an odd mix of American Swing, French dance hall "musette" and the folk strains of Eastern Europe. Another name for this style is Jazz Manouche and it contains quick cadences and drving rhythms. The types of intruments to give this style a certain sound is nylon stringed guitars, occasional violins and percussion as beat. Solos passed between guitarists and this style usually played in European Bars and small venues in America.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Jazz came about in New Orleans and other major southern cities such as Saint Louis, Chicago and Kansas City in the early part of the 20th century. It is a mix of two cultures that came together here in the United States and formed this style of music. The two cultures are the English culture and the rest of Europe with their classical and soothing music which includes melodies, soft tempos, and a wide variety of instruments. The other is the West African folk music developed here in the United States durning the 17th, 18th and 19th century. As the years went by, Jazz has been modifided and has become more popular than ever.
Jazz became more popular as blacks and others began to move north and to other major cities in search for work. The massive migration brought Jazz to become the next style of music listened to around the country. Jazz and the Blues started to play on the radio by "small-time" musicians and records began to come out in the 1920's (also known as the Roaring Twenties), this exotic and fun music to listen to changed how people danced, how people acted, and how people dressed (skankier, also known as "flappers") As time went on Jazz began to become more popular and more influential until the early 1960's, when the next style of music, Rock, came out.
Jazz became more popular as blacks and others began to move north and to other major cities in search for work. The massive migration brought Jazz to become the next style of music listened to around the country. Jazz and the Blues started to play on the radio by "small-time" musicians and records began to come out in the 1920's (also known as the Roaring Twenties), this exotic and fun music to listen to changed how people danced, how people acted, and how people dressed (skankier, also known as "flappers") As time went on Jazz began to become more popular and more influential until the early 1960's, when the next style of music, Rock, came out.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Foundation of Music
Music is considered a part of everyday life by many people in our current day society. Music can be traced back to before people through the sound of nature. From the sound of animals, to the whistle of wind, to the sound of waves in a harmonic pattern. Music created by humans can be traced back all the way to 10,000 BC.
Music is a great way to affect emotion and to help relax a person or get a person's adrenalin rushing depending on the type of music. Music can become a person's individualism and represent their personality. The type of music a person listens to also can affect how they think and act around others. Following this post will be the start of discussion on the many various genres of music and how they affected the history of the world and also the people of that time period and in the present day.
Bands to listen to:
Rebelution: http://www.rebelutionmusic.com/
Miles Davis: http://www.milesdavis.com/us/home
Amon Amarth: http://www.amonamarth.com/
Music is a great way to affect emotion and to help relax a person or get a person's adrenalin rushing depending on the type of music. Music can become a person's individualism and represent their personality. The type of music a person listens to also can affect how they think and act around others. Following this post will be the start of discussion on the many various genres of music and how they affected the history of the world and also the people of that time period and in the present day.
Bands to listen to:
Rebelution: http://www.rebelutionmusic.com/
Miles Davis: http://www.milesdavis.com/us/home
Amon Amarth: http://www.amonamarth.com/
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