History of Jazz Music

• It originated in New Orleans during the early 20th century and became widespread in the 1920s across the US and Europe
• Has roots in blues and ragtime - brought stylistic and rhythmic influences
• Emerged from the African American community 
• Work songs of the African community also influenced the development of jazz
• Big band became popular during the 1920s and 30s
• Subgenre, Bebop, was developed and flourished during the 1940s and 50s  
• Post Bebop developed during the 1960s, emphasis on harmonic complexion and slower tempo

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Characteristics

• Music is often improvised, musicians improvise over a jazz tune
• Musicians play solos
• Harmonically complex, use lots of extension chords such as 7ths, 9ths, 11ths
• Rhythm is swung, eighth notes are played like triplets to create a ‘swung’ feel
• the off beats are emphasized
• (Often includes riffs, a repeated phrase or pattern of notes that are the “hook” of a piece)

Big Band

• Type of jazz ensemble, often known as the Jazz Orchestra
• Vocalist or lead instrument(s) sing/play an improvised melody over the orchestra
• Consists of four sections

• Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Rhythm Section (Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keys/Piano)

• Rhythm sections maintains a sense of drive 
• Music played is built around simple harmony
• Includes individual solos that are improvised

Famous Jazz Musicians and Composers

• Duke Ellington
• Miles Davis 
• Louis Armstrong
• Fletcher Henderson

Famous works

• It Don’t Mean a Thing (if it ain’t got that swing) Duke Ellington
• Take the A Train Duke Ellington
• So What Miles Davis
• Take Five Dave Brubeck
• Sing Sing Sing Benny Goodman

Other nice works

• Watermelon Man Herbie Hancock
• Milestones Miles Davis
• My Foolish Heart Bill Evans

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