History of Jazz Music Jazz music, one of the most popular genres there is today in American culture. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines jazz as a type of music with lively rhythms and melodies that is often made up by musicians as they play. American music developed especially from ragtime and blues and characterized by propulsive syncopated rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, varying degrees of improvisation, and often deliberate distortions of pitch and timbre. Although the jazz has been defined in the dictionary there is no common definition of this music has been reached according to musicians. Jazz music consists of several layers and the process is very difficult with composing and performing joined together.
Founded in New Orleands in the early 1900's was the greatest platform for success. New Orleans was a heaven beacuse there were various coultures in a confind musical city. When Jazz became trendy everyone wanted it play, letting people from all walks of life add thier personal flare to it. That is the beauty of Jazz, though there are guidlines to what makes Jazz music there are also infanite amount of possiblities to create something unique. One of Jazz's greatest weapons for success is improvization.
Becoming a Jazz Singer There are countless different aspects that should be thoroughly examined when reviewing assets that are essential to becoming a successful jazz singer. To be clear, a jazz singer is a vocalist who brings his or her own interpretation to a song and improvises through sounds, notes, words and/or phrasing. A jazz singer has spontaneous elements as well as solid technique, and an excellent example of always singing how you feel. Through technique, great influences, and practice, we will explore different ways of becoming a flourishing jazz vocalist. Jazz technique is something that can be interpreted differently to each individual, but generally the following are summarized methods that can greatly influence overall exceptional execution.
Jazz Band II 18 October 2013 Mike Vax: BigBandJazz.net Mike Vax is an outstanding trumpeter who specializes in Jazz studies. On his album “BigBandJazz.net” he plays in a Ferguson-esque manor, not in terms of range, but style—playing over the band as the featured soloist. The first track on this album is “Royal Rendezous”, a Mike Vax original, which is a nice and mellow swing chart featuring tenor Scott Peterson and trumpeter Mike Olmos on the solos. I really enjoy this song because it contrasts in balance and dynamics. For example, the song at times changes from a quiet saxophone soli, to a loud shout chorus, to a uniquely created improvised solo.
Born in the heart of New Orleans, it is lead to believe that jazz is both a popular music style and serious art form. This is proven to be correct through its development in the 19th and early 20th century, being heavily influenced through ragtime, marching bands, blues and African American spirituals. Throughout history, jazz has created serious use of improvisation, individuality and complexity that has shaped and aspired artists of today’s music. Before 1920, ragtime was seen to be a popular music style consisting of syncopated melodies and steady beats that had high contribution in creating a style of jazz. Primarily developed by African American Pianists who traveled throughout the south playing in saloons, dance halls and brothels, Ragtime flooded throughout America the music publishing industry, a music interest for whites and blacks.
To me, this piece coveys happiness, excitement, and more; it is a very fun, yet challenging to play. In Morosco’s famous composition Blue Caprice, There are 14 unaccompanied sections that he uses to express the aesthetic values of the jazz style. One of the sections in this composition is conveyed as a free rhythm section; meaning the player can play the melody of a given line of music freely and take it at the speed of their choosing. In this section the notes are played in a very legato style and don’t have a set tempo. He wants it to be played as fast as
He has smiled his way into people’s hearts; I have been obliged to fight my way.” Booker T. Washington made this powerful statement about one of the most controversial African Americans in history, Edgar “Bert” Williams. Bert Williams is an incredibly influential person in the history of acting. Many people may disagree with this statement. Instead of viewing Bert as influential, they might see him as controversial. Both Williams’ use of black stereotypes and participation in the “blackface” type of acting were considered negative and racist ways of portraying black people during this time period.
This fall from American attention also led to a new form of music that was just developing in the streets of New York City during the same time period, a new form of music that derives from the same culture, spirit, and same principles as jazz music. A form of music that in time became accepted and integrated into the jazz community. This form of music was Hip Hop. Growing up amidst terrible discrimination within society, many African American’s channeled their pain and suffering into a musical movement. In the 20’s this music was Jazz.
Moreover, each band also used specific techniques in their music to gain attention from a variety of ethnic groups and often promoted dancing during the band’s performances (Starr, Waterman, 2010). Although, swing and Tin Pan Alley bands had similarities, the bands’ rhythm and style varied in their performances (Starr, Waterman, 2010, p. 131). For example, while Tin Pan Alley bands style was professionally organized (Starr, Waterman, 2010, p. 74), swing bands performances were sometimes less formal due to the lack of educational experience (Starr, Waterman, 2010, p. 132). In addition, instead of depending on educational structure, swing bands often arranged their melodies during practice (Starr, Waterman, 2010, p. 132). Next, some swing bands used certain tools to enhance specific sounds in brass instruments to entice audiences’ involvement (Starr, Waterman, 2010, p. 135).
The History of African Dance African dancing has both historic and social traditions that hold more significance than those of many other cultures. The dances help to celebrate not only special events and festivals, but they regularly tell stories about a culture’s history. Dancing was used to deflect danger, to ask for fortune, to express emotions and feeling and also to celebrate certain life-changing happenings such as birth or marriage. Dancing was also a way to simply pass time and to enjoy life. African dance is polycentric where the dancer’s body has many centers and doesn’t move as a whole throughout the dance.