Types of Jazz:

Jazz music is a distinctly American music form. The genre was born when African music and rhythms, brought to America by enslaved Africans, mixed with European marching band music. There world of jazz music is full of different styles, each with their own style and origin.

Ragtime

Ragtime is often considered the beginning of jazz, even though it has limited improvisation and lacks a jazz swing feel. Ragtime was established in the 1890s and was the result of an evolution of traditional marches.

New Orleans Style

Among the most popular and earliest forms of jazz music was New Orleans jazz. It is one of, if not the first, real jazz style that was played by an actual jazz band. It evolved out of ragtime and came about in the late 1800′s, early 1900′s, first being played by African-Americans and creoles.
Chicago Style

Another type of jazz style is the Chicago Style of jazz that began in the late 1917s. It was modelled on the New Orleans Style, but the beat was modified to sound rushed. This style is characterized by solo improvisation, prominent saxophone, a more frantic rhythmic style and a more swing-oriented drum style.
Swing

Although many people think “swing” and “jazz” are interchangeable, swing is actually only a style of jazz.It dominated in the 1930s and through World War II. This genre was the main form of American popular music for much of this time and introduced the United States to exuberant big bands and band leaders.
Bebop

Bebop was developed in the early 1940′s by a bunch of adventurous musicians.This style is characterized by complex melodies and harmonies, fast tempos, small groups and an air of sophistication.

As you can see, jazz is always changing, yet retains part of its original formation at it roots. One reason that jazz remains popular and alive is its ability to adapt to the world it lives in.

Edited: May 6th, 2011

Cabin in the Sky(1943)-Another Movie inspired by Jazz

Cabin in the Sky is a 1943 American musical film with music by Vernon Duke, lyrics by John La Touche.it’s an all-black musical fable with legendary greats including: Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Lena Horn, Ethel Waters, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington and His Orchestra. But it’s above all a showcase for top-billed Waters’ enormous singing, dancing, comedy, and acting talents. Produced by Arthur Freed and directed by Vincente Minnelli in his Hollywood debut, Cabin in the Sky was a groundbreaking production for its time due to the decision to use an all-African-American cast.
Cabin in the Sky is a strange, fascinating parable detailing the battle between good and evil in the heart of one backsliding man. It’s a story of A compulsive gambler dies during a shooting, but he’ll receive a second chance to reform himself and to make up with his worried wife. It tells a version of the Faust legend in which Little Joe, a man killed over gambling debts, is given six months to redeem his soul and become worthy of entering Heaven — otherwise his soul will be condemned to Hell. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Happiness is a Thing Called Joe” sung by Ethel Waters. Cabin in the Sky is remembered for its intelligent and witty script, which treated its characters and their race with a dignity rare in American films of the time.

Edited: May 6th, 2011

Asian American Jazz

Asian American Jazz is a late-20th Century musical movement that has its roots in the United States.It was started by Asian American Jazz musicians in the USA. Though they started musical movement in the 20th century but around the 1970′s and 1980′s that they began to really develop their own distinct sound. This musical style is a unique form of jazz performed by Asian Americans. West Coast musicians such as Gerald Oshita, Glenn Horiuchi, Anthony Brown, Jon Jang, Mark Izu, and Russel Baba, as well as New Yorkers like Fred Ho and Jason Kao Hwang, began to create a hybrid music that was reflective of their ancestral heritages and experiences as Asian Americans, but which was at the same time also rooted in jazz, a music of African American origin. Many Asian American jazz ensembles also include musicians who are not of Asian descent. They combine standard jazz instruments with instruments of a more Asian flavor – the erhu, kulintang, taiko and shamisen – instruments which really do give an Asian feel to the Asian American Jazz music. Traditional American jazz instruments may also be used, but in a manner more commonly associated with Asian instruments.

Asian American Jazz Musicians are largely of Chinese or Japanese ancestry, although there are also some notable musicians with their origins in India, Vietnam, Iran and the Philippines. One of the first and most prominent Asian American jazz bands is the Japanese American fusion jazz band Hiroshima, which was formed in 1974. Notable Asian American Jazz musicians include Glenn Horiuchi, Jon Jang, Anthony Brown, Gerald Oshita and Russel Baba which were all from the west coast of America, although New Yorkers Jason Kao Hwang and Fred Ho also were instrumental in creating this unique sound. In 2000, Anthony Brown‘s Asian American Orchestra received a Grammy nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance for their recording of Ellington-Strayhorn’s Far East Suite.

Edited: May 6th, 2011

Jazz Dance Form

What is Jazz Dancing All About?

Jazz dancing involves movements that are specially choreographed to West African music compositions. The movements are termed as Jazz, basically an umbrella term, and set to ‘blues’ notes, poly-rhythms, improvisations, the ‘swung’ note and syncopation. Jazz dancing relates to several dance styles that are related, such as ballet, tap and the African American rhythms-and-dance styles. This dance form originated in the late 1800s. The trend took time to catch on, but eventually did, by the mid 1900s. Till the 1950s, jazz dancing was largely referred to as tap dancing, because of the routines set to jazz music. The Jazz Age was characterized by the popularity of dance forms such as the Cakewalk, Charleston, Jitterbug, Black Bottom, Boogie Woogie and the Lindy Hop. These styles developed at various venues and were executed by dedicated enthusiasts who made simple steps look elaborate.

Who Invented The Jazz Dance Technique?

Early experimentation with the jazz dance form is synonymous with names such as Katherine Dunham and Jack Cole. Katherine Dunham is recognized as the ‘Grandmaster of Jazz Dancing’ the world over, while Jack Cole is considered the ‘Father of the Jazz Dance Technique’. These choreographers were key inspirations to other exponents of the art such as Matt Mattox, Jerome Robbins, Gwen Verdon, Bob Fosse and Eugene Louis Facciuto. It was not until the 1950s, that these pioneers developed routines based on the essence of traditional Caribbean dance forms and created a unique performing art. This was also the era when other dance and music forms were developing and being experimented with, the world over. Jazz soon evolved on Broadway into an improvised version referred to as ‘Modern Jazz’. This smooth style, that is still taught extensively, created its own evolutionary path. The best jazz dance performances included styles popularized in Broadway hits, such as Cabaret, Chicago, The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees.

Edited: May 5th, 2011

Some Of The Hit Jazz Albums

People who are fond of classy music love jazz, and jazz music is just magical. It’s said that jazz is one a type of music which can actually be called American. Stories say that it was founded in the 1800′s by African Americans and no one would’ve guessed that one day jazz would be one of the most popular types of music in the world. As jazz is not played by any rules or a particular style, it’s constantly evolving and changing. This constant change is the main reason that makes jazz songs appealing to all age groups. There’s still a lot of debate on the origin of jazz music. The contribution of African Americans can’t be denied and the little influence from the Caribbean and Mexican merchants have also inspired jazz to an extent. It gained popularity in the US around 1920′s when jazz musicians began performing in big cities like New York and Chicago. The best part about jazz is that many kinds of musical instruments can be used to create jazz music. So, if you want to feel the magic of jazz, its recommended that you have a look a the best jazz albums of all time.

Best Jazz Albums of All Time

Its always said that men who listen to jazz music are often called as classy men. This is not entirely wrong, if you haven’t ever heard of the best jazz albums or the best jazz songs, I recommend you start with the below given names.

• The Shape of Jazz to Come ~ Ornette Coleman
• In My Element ~ Robert Glasper
• Ella and Louis ~ Ella Fitzgerald / Louis Armstrong
• Chet Baker Sings ~ Chet Baker
• The Oscar Peterson Trio at the Stratford Shakespearean Festival ~ Oscar Peterson
• Moanin’ ~ Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
• Go ~ Dexter Gordon
• Charlie Parker With Strings ~ Charlie Parker
• Straight Ahead ~ Abbey Lincoln
• A Night at the Village Vanguard ~ Sonny Rollins
• Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus ~ Vince Guaraldi Trio
• Black Codes (From The Underground) ~ Wynton Marsalis
• One Night Stand – The Town Hall Concert 1947 ~ Sarah Vaughn / Lester Young
• Afternoon in Paris ~ Stephane Grappelli
• The Great Summit ~ Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington
• Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section ~ Art Pepper
• Husky ~ Skerik’s Syncopated Taint Septet
• Sax Pax for a Sax ~ Moondog
• Gershwin Plays Rhapsody in Blue ~ George Gershwin
• Don’t Go To Strangers ~ Elta Jones

So these were some of the best jazz albums of all time. Hope reading this article was fun, if you think some more names should be added, feels free to add up some more names.

Edited: May 5th, 2011

History of Music Of 1920s

Study the music of the era known as the 1920s and you will learn that there were three genres of music that were the most popular; Ragtime, Broadway, and Jazz. In fact the popularity of Jazz was so widespread, that this era was popularly known as Jazz age. There were many factors that were responsible for the popularity of Jazz music and chief amongst them was the use of radio and phonograph records which allowed the music to reach many homes. It is estimated that in the year 1927 almost 100 million phonograph records were sold in America alone. But the road to popularity was not all smooth. In fact when jazz first broke out on the scene, it was known as the devil’s music and its effect on youth was hugely debated. The ferocity of the debate could be compared to the debate regarding the effect of death metal on the kids today. In fact critics often put down the style of jazz music in the 1920s, calling it a passing trend. The genre was defended by many jazz musicians and obviously today we know whose views held forth.

Blues was another genre of music that became a part of mainstream music of the 1920s and this popularity saw an increase in fan base for singers like Bessie Smith. In fact record companies came up with the strategy of targeting these records primarily at an audience comprising of African Americans. The blues music of the 1920s was responsible for the birth of the genres derived from it including delta blues and Piedmont blues. What is still not widely known is that jazz became popular for dancing only later. The earliest form of jazz that was used for dancing was more an evolution from the blues and ragtime music. Musicians incorporated ragtime influences but did not use the musical devices that were synonymous with jazz. Ragtime music was composed around the piano and was a refined form of the cakewalk dance music which had African American origins. Ragtime mixed with this form, influences from European marched and other dance music of the era. One of the most famous ragtime performers was Scott Joplin.

Edited: May 5th, 2011

Best Foot Forward (1943)-Comedy with touch of Jazz

Best Foot Forward is a grand MGM musical about a Hollywood star who, as part of a publicity stunt, agrees to be the guest of a young cadet at his military school prom. The film was adapted from the 1941 Broadway musical with the same title .This movie is directed by Edward Buzzell, starring Lucille Ball, William Gaxton, Virginia Weidler, June Allyson, Chill Wills, Gloria DeHaven and Nancy Walker.

Bud Hooper, a cadet at Winsocki Military Academy, sends an invitation to movie star Lucille Ball to come to Winsocki’s big dance. Ball’s publicity-hungry agent convinces her to go in order to boost her career.Complications arise when Bud’s girlfriend Helen Schlesinger unexpectedly shows up, too. Among the standouts in the movie are Lucille Ball playing herself. Not only is she gorgeous, she handles the comedy with aplomb, which includes making some gentle but sharp fun of herself as a movie star.Nancy Walker, who makes her film debut, is absolutely hilarious as the “Blind Date” girl. Once again, the music is better than the storyline. Harry James’ orchestra is heard in great form on “Two O’Clock Jump” and there is some great dancing.

The movie is based on a Broadway show and includes many Big Band hits. The songs in the musical are: “Buckle Down, Winsocki,” “You’re Lucky,” “Wish I May,” “Three Men on a Date,” “Ev’ry Time,” “The Three B’s,” “My First Promise” and “Alive and Kickin’,” words and music by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. “Two O’Clock Jump” (A Variation on “One O’Clock Jump”) by Count Basie and Harry James “Flight of the Bumble Bee” by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov.

Edited: May 4th, 2011

The Difference between Jazz & Blues

Blues and Jazz are both American music styles. Both blues and jazz were born in the South, and both genres were largely invented and practiced by African-Americans. However, blues and jazz have distinct differences, both culturally and musically.

Jazz is more complicated, uses many more chords, scales, modes, tempos, time signatures, melodic structure, moods, styles, etc. Outside of obvious rhythmic differences, jazz incorporates more color.If you’re not a musician, this is tricky. Jazz is far more technical in its architecture than blues. Jazz usually uses piano, saxophone and bass; Blues is based on guitar. Jazz is like, a big solo. It’s basically a bunch of mutually respected musicians taking turns soloing while the rest of you play the rhythm. Jazz is like, primarily improvised, almost always involving spontaneous horn, piano, and guitar solos.

Blues is more about feeling but jazz can be just as much or more about feeling than some blues. Blues has one basic structure and once you vary too much from that it isn’t blues anymore. While some blues standards have been adapted for jazz, the jazz blues principles are still much more technical. So blues in its true form has no precise guidelines. It’s completely free. The only purpose is to relay the feelings of the artist. Blues is about sadness and usually involves progressions and scales that evoke the sadness that the music is trying to project. Not to mention the vocals and lyrics. Blues is about heartbreak, primarily, and any other kind of sadness you can think of.

Politically, blues reacts in the same manner as folk in the sense that it tends to represent the economic and social frustrations of the lower-class. Blues is more representative of the working-class and destitute in contrast to mostly conformist melodies of jazz.

Edited: May 4th, 2011

The Jazz Singer – A 1927 Jazz Hit

The Jazz Singer is a 1927 American musical film. It is an historic milestone film and cinematic landmark. Produced by Warner Bros.’ and directed by Alan Crosland the wildly successful “photo-dramatic production” was based upon Samson Raphaelson’s 1921 short story “The Day of Atonement”.

It is a short story about a young Jew named Jakie Rabinowitz . At an early age he ran away from home to escape his father who wanted him to be a Cantor for his synagogue rather than sing the songs he wanted to sing. But down at the beer garden, thirteen-year-old Jakie Rabinowitz is performing popular, so-called jazz, tunes.

Approximately ten years later, Jakie has changed his name to the more assimilated Jack Robin. Jack is invited to perform in the nightclub and is introduced to the crowd: “Jack Robin will sing ‘Dirty Hands, Dirty Face.’ They say he’s good – we shall see.” Jack tells his table companion: “Wish me luck, Pal – I’ll certainly need it.” Jack wows the crowd with his energized rendition. There he meets Mary Dale who, impressed with his singing, gets him a job at April Follies. With Mary’s help, Jack has gained a place on the vaudeville circuit and now travels constantly around the country.  It becomes obvious that he has feelings for her, but she got a better job on Broadway and they are forced to part. Soon he gets a chance to perform Broadway show, which he finds later was set up by Mary.

The climax of the movie takes place on opening night, which is the Day of Atonement in the Jewish religion. Jakie’s father is very sick and on his deathbed. He is willing to forgive Jakie if  he would sing as Cantor. Jakie is torn between his future and his heritage, a struggle in which he chooses family and forgiveness.

Edited: May 4th, 2011

Jazz With Hip Hop: An Anticing Combination

For well over a century now, jazz has been the chameleon of American music. It has incorporated elements from classical, Latin, world, funk and R&B. The very meaning of the word jazz suggests that in order for it to be such the music must swing, among other criteria. In some regards this could be true, but I would like to argue that jazz represents just a portion of the broader landscape of African-American music. The use of categories and names of styles is unavoidable, but I feel that at times the process of labelling music restricts us as musicians, writers and listeners from recognizing the connections between sub-genres of music.

Case in point is the connections between jazz and hip-hop. Culturally, socially, and musically the two share more in common than some would acknowledge. From the 1960s up to today, jazz and hip-hop continue to borrow and experiment with each other. They both contain elements of improvisation; in hip-hop, free styling and DJing represent this, while in jazz much of the exchange between musicians is improvised. The idea of a jazz tradition can make it difficult to categorize musical efforts between people like Branford Marsalis and DJ Premier. But why must the rigidities of the canon and tradition reject the musical offerings of the 1970s and beyond as questionable? To do this trivializes the entire legacy of how the word jazz came to mean what it does. It is my opinion that the experimentations between jazz and hip-hop represent just one of the examples that put this hypocrisy to test. Just because sound doesn’t conform to a certain standard doesn’t disqualify it from being called jazz.

In 1960, Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln recorded We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite. Though categorized as jazz, Lincoln’s vocals and Roach’s playing are by most standards not all that jazzy. This record dealt with issues facing black America. Lincoln’s and Roach’s performances achieved a feverish pitch that can still be felt when heard today. Their collective approach to dealing with subject matter in their art is no different than the efforts of Public Enemy in the late 1980s. Hip-hop acts clearly paid odes to people like this and (for example) John Coltrane, who also deeply explored spirituality in his music through works which dealt with similar subject matter.

Edited: May 3rd, 2011