Term
| What did the saxophone replace and why? |
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Definition
| It replaced the clarinet as the primary wood instrument because it blended with the brass and more volume. |
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Term
Fletcher Henderson (1897-1952):
Who was he?
What era of music did he define?
What technique is he known for, describe it? |
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Definition
He was a pianist and a band leader, but he was mostly known as an arranger. Ex: he arragned most of Benny Goodman's libarary.
Helped define big band music of the "swing era"
Forged an efficent arranging technique known as: section vs. section. This pitted brass against saxes/woodwinds.When one section plays the melody the other plays a supporting role. |
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Term
Benny Goodman
Who was he?
What did his band do? |
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Definition
He was a clarinetist and Bandleader. "The king of Swing". Led the most popular band of the big band era. One of the most popular jazz musicians in history. And he helped break down racial barriers by emplying pianist Teddy Wilson, vibraphonist Lionel Hampton and guitarsist Charlie Christian.
His band fused the "Hot" solos of Jazz with commerical pop music. He brought jazz to Carnegie Hall in 1938. |
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Term
Coleman Hawkins (1904-1969)
Who was he? What was his sound known for? How would be base his solos? |
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Definition
Considered to be the first important tenor saxophone soloist. Played with a husky, dark sound. Employed growl and other expressive techniques.
Based solos on arpeggiating the chords. |
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Term
Artie Shaw
Who was he?
He lived a double life?
He quit music? |
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Definition
Clarinet and bandleader. He was considered to be a better clarinet player than Goodman.
Double Life:
1. As a succesful Band Leader
2. AS a lover of improv and innovation
He quit music several times only to see his stardom increase |
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Term
Duke Ellington:
Who is he?
What type of style did he develop?
His band?
One skill he was good at?
His writing style? |
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Definition
Born in DC, and has composed over 2000 works and is the most recorded band leader in history. He was a pianist.
He developed a programic style where he would evoke images or scenes. This considered jungle style was also called by critics as "Ko Ko". Early in his career he was a stride style, but then developed his own style through his use of unusual harmonies and voicing.
His band was the "Washingtonians"
He had the skill of voicing across sections of the band. "Mood Indigo is an example. Instead of using the section vs section technique he mixed instruments to create different timbers and tone colors.
His wrote songs by himself, he knew the memembrs of his band so well that he was even able to write complete solos for them, and was effectively able to arrange music around their styles. |
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Term
Art Tatum
Style?
What was his greatest influence?
What is he known for? |
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Definition
He created the techniuqe known as chord substitutions where he would subsitute the regular chords ofa song with those of his own.
Considered the transitional artist from swing to bop. Considered to be the most technically advanced pianist in jazz history.
Unpredictable style that used florid
embellishments in melody, harmony and
rhythm. |
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Term
William "Count" basie
Who is he?
Influences?
What was known for?
His style?
Most important part of his band? |
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Definition
Composer, pianist.
He was influenced greatly by stride pianist in NY, and the Boogie-woogie pianists of Kansas City.
Basie's band created unwritten arrangements known as "head" arrangements. One O'clock Jump.
His style was "less is more". The emphasis was not on intricate compositions and arrangements but on the groove and solos. He took the emphasis on the individual soloist.
The most important was the rhythm section. |
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Term
| How to make head arragnment |
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Definition
• 1. rhythm section begins a blues.
• 2. someone in the saxes makes up a short
melodic “riff” and the entire section joins in.
• 3. trumpets and trombones make up a different
riff that acts as a response or counter melody to
the saxes.
• 4. Some players would harmonize the “riff”
creating a dense chord texture |
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Term
| How do you characterize Bebop? |
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Definition
rapid tempos, complicated chord changes and
harmonies and a new, unpredictable rhythm. |
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Term
Kenny "Klook" Clarke
What did he do? |
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Definition
Shifted the swing rhythm to the ride cymbal.
Creating a “shimmering” lighter foundation
for modern jazz. Freed up the snare drum and bass drum to fill in rhythmic holes.
Hits in jazz are known as "dropping bombs" |
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Term
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Definition
Modern players discarded the
stride style of accompanying. No
more “Oom-pah” in the left hand.
Adopted the “Comping”
technique. A rhythmically
improvised way of playing the
chord progression. |
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Term
Charlie "Bird" Parker
His sound?
Personal Problems? |
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Definition
His sound was very agile and rhythmic.
He was addicted to morphine after a car accident |
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Term
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie
What was he known for?
Performance style? |
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Definition
He was the intellect or teacher behind the Bebop movement.
His performances brought humor and
charisma to an abstract art form. |
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