...The Jazz Age: Prevailing Opportunities for African Americans Thesis and Outline Thesis: The increased popularity of jazz music led to a growing acceptance of African American culture and presented African Americans the opportunity to gain social status. Introduction During the Jazz Age, jazz music, primarily dominated by African Americans before 1920, began to gain popularity among whites and transformed into an important aspect of American culture. The increased popularity of jazz music led to a growing acceptance of African American culture and presented African Americans the opportunity to gain social status. The Beginnings of Jazz music and Prevailing Opportunities for African Americans Music has always played an essential part in African...
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...2014 Teacher Critique: Jazz 1 by Tom Roberts In the following pages I will critique and discuss Tom Roberts’s Jazz 1 class at a dance studio. However, it is important to have basic knowledge of Swain’s credentials. Tom Roberts holds a BFA in Theatre from Salem State University. He has been teaching, choreographing, and performing since 1997. His teachings include Jazz 1 and Musical Theatre Dance at University of Massachusetts Boston, and Hip-Hop Fusion at Tufts University. He also teaches Jazz-Funk at the Dance Complex in Cambridge, MA and is the artistic director and choreographer of his own dance company. When observing the beginning of Robert’s Jazz 1 class, I noticed he likes to start his dance classes with a slow warm-up. His slow warm-up involved movements of the head and loosening of the neck. He then moved into shoulder and arm rotations before lying down onto the floor. When on the floor, he put a lot of emphasis on the lower abs with crunches and great emphasis on the legs and inner thighs with stretches. After the slow warm-up, he had the class go into a really fast warm-up that involved a lot of aerobics for the body. The movements in his fast warm-up put strong emphasis on leg and arm work with the rhythm of the music. The fast warm-up to the rhythm of the music created a fun environment for the whole class. After the warm-up, the class including myself, felt ready and energized for the choreography. The choreography in Robert’s Jazz 1 class is challenging...
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...During the ending of the nineteenth Towards the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century, African American musicians began congregating together in New Orleans. New Orleans was often referred to as the home to many musicians, even if they have only lived in New Orleans for a short period. By 1920, jazz musicians in New Orleans had spent years spreading the “New Orleans Sound”. Actually, the word jazz was nation wide, New Orleans was the only city that truly appreciated the music and remained exclusive to “The sound of New Orleans”. Jazz stars really started to surface in the 1920. These stars include King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, and Kid Ory. The jazz bands of the beginning 1920s had three voices (cornet, clarinet...
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...Dance There is a time to laugh, a time to cry, a time to love, a time to hate, and there is a time to dance. Dance is one of the most expressional forms of art that has been around for thousand of years. It allows communities to come together, celebrate, to tell a story, and to express emotion. It is an art that requires the use of almost all of the performer's body and soul. It has started wars, and it has brought peace. Dance has changed the world. Two of these styles are Ballet and Jazz, and they have been apart of society and life for many years. When one thinks of beauty and grace in dance, they cannot help but to think of Ballet. In the 15th century, Ballet was first developed in the Italian Renaissance courts. Celebrations like weddings and extravagant parties called for dancing to be an elaborate spectacle. At these events, dancing instructors taught Noblemen and women how to make these events truly memorable by having them participate in the performances. This was the meager beginning of Ballet until Catherine de Medici began to fund ballet in the French court in the 16th century. Catherine de Medici was the wife of King Henry II of France and a great patron of the arts. Catherine would throw elaborate festivals called ballet de cour. Ballet de cour included dance, decor, costume, song, music and poetry. It was a culmination of all the arts to push the advancement of the style of ballet until King Louis XIV helped to popularize and standardize the art form a century...
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...Essay 13 1. What approach to jazz does Wynton Marsalis personify? How does he personify it? In considering this issue, refer to his life, his role in the jazz repertory movement, and in particular his work as a composer. According to the class notes and textbook, Marsalis is a trumpeter, spokesman for jazz tradition (not fusion or avant-garde), leader of Jazz at Lincoln Center; born in NOLA to musical family; trained at Juilliard, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers; modeled quintet on Davis's; raised funding, became eclectic, greater clarity in improve, loosened strictures; first post-pop, writes with historicist bent, pastiche of jazz styles. He is also an articulate and influential spokesperson for traditional jazz aesthetics. The neoclassical school develops at the beginning of the 1980’s. It, by definition, implies a pursuit of “new” expressions of “classic” jazz. In this case… mostly jazz from the 1950’s. (style) Wynton has an overtly strong interest in composition over improvisation sometimes and resists excessive importation from competing musical styles like classical and rock. His work with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra upholds the works of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington as exemplars of the jazz tradition, and downplays the importance of such developments as fusion and the avant-garde. The influence of Ellington on Marsalis's compositional style, musical values, and jazz career calls attention to a historical approach. Marsalis does beyond traditionalism; however...
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...History of Jazz Music | | | Inemesit Inyang Crump | 4/27/2012 | | In the world we live in today there many different types of music that comes from all types of people, countries and origins. Rock, blues, neo-soul, classical, hip-hop, techno and even heavy metal are just brief descriptions of the many genres of music. One genre of music that is most popularly known worldwide is Jazz. Jazz is one of the most historical forms of music in America, contributing to several cultural achievements and society. The history of jazz has an extensive timeline of history dating back to the early 1700’s and 1800’s which is also known as the slave era and the ragtime era. This unique form art has helped to unite people of all races, regions and national boundaries. Even though it is a form of entertainment, it has been used to widely voice sentiments on slavery, freedom, creativity, and American character both in the United States and also overseas. Jazz music consists of many forms such as European, ragtime, modal, afro-cuban jazz, fusion and many more. While many people argue that Jazz is not one of their favorite forms of music, it has been proven that it is one of the longest lasting forms of music dating back over 100 years. Jazz was born to African Americans, which were predominantly slaves. These African Americans attempted to express their culture and feelings using instruments to give other cultures an idea of their personalities. Even though Jazz is a descendant...
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...Literature Review -- The Trend of American Pop Music From 1990s to 2000s As the development of globalization, we are getting more and more things from abroad, music, especially American music is a part of which. The United States has produced many popular musicians and composers in the modern world. Beginning with the birth of recorded music, American performers have continued to lead the field of popular music.This article is meant to give you an introduction and explanation of how the American pop music has been developing from 1990s to 2000s and why there is a trend like this. 1. Blues and Jazz Due to the immigration and population movements in history from 18th century to the peak time 1940s, millions of black man was moved or moved out of Africa to American to be cheap labours. During the movement, black music was brought into America and originated jazz and blue genres. 1.1 Blues Black slaves and their descendents created blues while they can adapt chasing and field shouters, turning on their passionate, because of which, blues has a free form as call-and-response vocal music, without the accompany of rhythm music. Led by Robert Johnson, Johnny Winter and many seniors, Bob Dylan is no doubt a representative. His works embodied folk, rock, Blues Retro and many factors. The narrative lyrics and sincere emotion made him popular till now. Moreover, in 1990s,Ben Harper's folk blues style,which actually brought people on the dance floor in small bars, was expressed...
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...Jazz is an art form that originated and developed in America. Even though Jazz was created using the musical instincts of the African and European traditions, it reflects the American life. Over the years Jazz music has played a key role by reflecting an American’s right to personal freedom of expression. For instance, “Jazz has been called the purest expression of American democracy; a music built on individualism and compromise, independence and cooperation [1].” It has had a major influence on many musical styles and genres within the American society and continues to do so. Therefore, Jazz can be called the true American Classical Music. Just like Classical Music, Jazz has its own standard of literacy, form, and complexity. It has established a value over time and it allows many cultures to communicate thought as well as ideas with one another for Jazz is widely known. The only time Jazz was considered mainstream was the in the 1930s commonly known as the Swing Era. This is the time where many musicians were finally experimenting with the music and crafting jazz arrangements for bigger bands. The end of the Swing Era was marked by one main disaster. This had to do largely with the direct effects of World War II itself for members in the big bands were forced to serve their country [1]. There were also gas shortages, a tax raise, and curfew. These dissuaded people from going out which had a dramatic impact on the Swing. Since then Jazz music then proceeded to decline in popularity...
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...Justin Baird Professor Tolson African American Music 1/28/15 Review #1 On Monday night, January 26th I had the pleasure of attending a Jazz Combo that consisted of three different bands. This Jazz Combo was performed by the University Of Louisville School Of Music and was held in Bird Recital Hall. These bands included the Clark Terry Combo directed by Tyrone Wheeler, Terence Blanchard Combo directed by Ansyn Banks, and the Fats Navarro Combo directed by Ansyn Banks as well. One of the bands that I enjoyed the most was the Terence Blanchard Combo which was directed by Ansyn Banks. This group consisted of Jon Driver who played the saxophone, Doug Finke who played the trombone, Hanks Evans who played the piano, Will Kinman who played the bass, and John Walther who played the drums. Most of the performers were young but the older men still kept up with them and made for a great performance. The band itself felt comfortable playing their instruments, but seemed a little timid when it came to actually performing in front of everyone though. They were confident in what they were doing, but just seemed like they were a bit nervous in the beginning. The energy with each other was a little sluggish at the beginning of their performance but picked up midway through the first song and continued to increases as they performed their second piece of the night. They all got into their instrument and you could really feel the passion they had for playing it as well. The Terence Blanchard...
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...monophonic texture in which a trumpet solos. The trumpet solo features many characteristics of the jazz style such as growls and the wa-wa effect, immediately presenting the audience with a dark, gritty timbre which forebodes the general mood of the musical. This monophonic solo is also tonally ambiguous which creates a feeling of tension, especially as the solo doesn’t seem to resolve when it plays its last note. Following this we have a big contrast in texture as the full orchestra play a more typical overture musical theme playing chords in a homophonic texture. The glissando played by many instruments as well as the use of wood blocks, Chinese tom toms and cowbells add a slapstick type quality to the overture as they can be seen as comical features/instrumets when used in an unconventional manner as this highlights the comical aspect of the instrument. Bar 17 onwards uses Big Band like instrumentation with brass and reads playing together which helps to further emphasize the syncopated melody as well as the 3,3,2 rhythmic feature. At this point the trumpet drops out which helps to make room for a sense of intensification later on when the trumpet comes back in playing a solo, reminding us of the expressiveness of the different timbres and techniques used by different common jazz instruments, whih relates to the corrupting influence jazz had at this time. All that jazz begins with a trad jazz style accompaniment as they are playing straight crotchets, however the addition of the Tuba...
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...The interaction between Blues and Jazz can be discerned when the origins of both music are scrutinized. The development of one is hidden in the roots of one another and both use similar sound patterns for instance. In this paper the readers will be presented a brief history of Blues & Jazz within the similarities of the two. If we trace back to the history of Blues music, the impact of African-American tradition is seen quite apparently. Blues music evolved from the songs sung by West African griots, the southern Black American songs of sadness and despair, and more hopeful Christian spirituals. It originated in the rural Mississippi Delta region at the beginning of 20th century. Similarly, Jazz music emerged as a blend of African-American rituals; the features carried from West African Black folk music developed in the Americas, joined with European music of the late 18th and 19th centuries and turned out to be the minor voicing characteristics of the Blues. Jazz emerged in New Orleans and was characterized by strong but flexible rhythms. Blues had its most brilliant years in America by the end of WWI. The American troops brought the Blues home with them, which they learned from the Southern Whites who had been exposed to the blues. After WWII, Blues had a different experience by the well-known Blues musicians as B.B. King and Buddy Guy by “amplifying guitar” and “emphasized drums”; thus created intensified sounds in Blues, the collection of which later called...
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...The Evolution of Jazz and its Modern Influence Jazz is a music art form that was created solely in America. It is considered to be one of the most influential forms of music in American history. Not only did it originate in America but it is also one of the few art forms that have two distinctive sounds. The jazz sound is separated into classical jazz and jazz fusion (modern) jazz. Jazz is also one of the only forms of music for which college music majors are required to study several artists’ techniques as a semester course. Jazz music has been used in many forms of music in America. With all the respect that jazz has garnered around the world, unfortunately, the art form has lost popularity over the last 20 years. With the emergence of hip-hop, techno, and other music forms, young musicians of today do not find the music appealing or relevant. All the awards for jazz musicians have been moved off the national television award shows. There is also a movement to remove the jazz categories from the Grammy list completely. This paper will discuss the history of jazz, where it began, how it evolved, and its future. To understand the future of jazz, one must understand what it really is and the instruments that were combined to make the ensemble. Jazz started to form early in the twentieth century in New Orleans. At that time, the sound was called Ragtime. This sound was produced by a band that included the string bass, drums, a guitar or banjo, and a "melodic section" with one...
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...Wednesday 3:00 11/22/10 Concert Report I attended the Fall Jazz Band concert at Mt. Sac in the Sophia B. Clarke Theater. The show was on Friday November 19th, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. The concert first featured the Latin Jazz Ensemble of Mt. Sac. Followed by the Latin Jazz Ensemble was the Mt. Sac Jazz Ensemble 1. The concert was directed by Jeff Ellwood and Tim Curle. The first piece played by the Mt. Sac Jazz Ensemble was called “Intersecting Lines” which was composed by Les Hooper. After warming the audience up with that piece, they went on to play “True North” by Mike Dana. Next the Ensemble played “Let’s Face the Music and Dance,” by Irving Berlin. The last piece the Latin Jazz Ensemble played was “Too High,” composed by Stevie Wonder, which I thought was pretty interesting. After a short intermission the Mt.Sac Jazz Ensemble came out and started off with “Hot and Spicey,” by Jason Goldman. The second song they played was called “Count Me In” by Billy Byers. Next they played “D-Bop” played in D-Flat I believe, and it was said to be a difficult piece for the ensemble, but they still mastered it. After “D-Bop” the piece called “Truth” was played which featured a solo piece from a talented saxophone player. Then they played “And Another Thing,” which is composed by Tom Garling. The last piece played was called “Yes or No,” and this was composed by Wayne Shortner. Jazz music started towards the beginning of the 20th century. This genre was first played in black...
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...To steal the words of others… Just let me say that this weekend Bellefonte was all jazzed up…. It was the 2015 Summer Jazz Celebration. The Jazz Celebration was originally in State College until 2008 when it moved to Bellefonte. It has been growing ever since. Jazz takes a little from all the music styles and builds it into a wonderful form of jazz. A great deal of the energy, drive and passion that makes the festival happen comes from Catherine Dupuis, she grew up in Centre County and loves giving back to the community that gave her so much in the early days of her career. The Russ Kassoff trio is a big part of the celebration since the beginning. The trio is comprised of Jay Anderson on bass and Dennis Mackrel on drums and Russ on the piano. Each year there is a special guest (the master performer) who is well known in the jazz world and...
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...Concert report On May 2, 2013, the Jazz concert at YOSHI’s OAKLAND, my friend and me had their first concert of this semester, the jazz band called The Bad Plus is from United States, and there are special guest drummer Dave King, pianist Ethan Iverson and bassist Reid Anderson. The concert started at 10:00 pm and ended at 11:30 pm. The jazz concert performed five songs during the concert and there were three songs are the most unforgettable for me “People Like You”, “Never Stop” and “2 P.M.” Jazz music, like all music, tells a story and here are the stories “People Like You”, “Never Stop” and “2 P.M.” “People Like You”, written by Reid Anderson .i think it an song for someone they loved. The song was very pretty, and it has a different genre than other songs in the concert. It is honestly hard for me to recommend this song to anyone, for I thought it was dull and lacked the depth of the other songs throughout the evening. It can clean people mind. At the beginning of this song, a piano and bass began to alternate the melody in this song as though they were like two lovers dancing in the wonderland. The rhythm, which was continuously steady, seemed to get faster like a heartbeat by the climax of the song. The bass would pick up strong at the same time and then die down again. There was such an edgy sound to this performance. And really can take people in the song’s wonderland. “Never stop”, was written by Reid Anderson. It was a beautiful song. I...
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