Lecture 1

Introduction to Jazz
What is jazz?!

Websters Dictionary defines it as:

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

Debate over the Definition

Since the term jazz has been used for a long time to classify a wide variety of
styles, a comprehensive definition that includes all the varieties is elusive
While some enthusiasts of certain types of jazz have argued for narrower
definitions which exclude many other types of music also commonly known as
jazz, jazz musicians themselves are often reluctant to define the music they play
What the Pundits Have to Say
Andrew Gilbert (Metro Times) argues that jazz has the ability to absorb and
transform influences from diverse musical styles
According to Bruce Johnson (The Cambridge Companion to Jazz), jazz music has
always had a tension between jazz as a commercial music and an art form
David Ake (The Cambridge Companion to Jazz) warns that the creation of
norms in jazz and the establishment of a jazz tradition may exclude or
sideline other newer, avant-garde forms of jazz

Roots of Jazz

African Music
Spirituals
Blues
Ragtime
Religious Hymns of New England
Hillbilly Music
European Military Band Music

The Elements of Jazz

Element No. 1: Improvisation
The act of simultaneously composing and performing
An essential element in the performance of most, but not all, jazz
Since jazz is an art form of individual expression, most jazz contains a great deal
of improvisation
Who improvises?
The soloist is improvising his/her solo
The other members of the group are improvising within the framework of
their responsibilities to the group sound
Element No. 2: Rhythm
Swing
A loosening of the rigid adherence to the beat of the music
A personal interpretation of the rhythm
Syncopation
Rhythmically placing or accenting notes away from the beat and in
unexpected places
Accenting the weak parts of the beat
Element No. 3: Dissonance
A mingling of discordant sounds; especially: a clashing or unresolved musical
interval or chord
Creation of tension which may or may not be resolved
Blue Notes produce the dissonance that gives the blues its unique, mournful
quality
Jazz musicians are driven to continually push the envelope harmonically in
order to explore the realm of improvisational possibilities
Element No. 4: Jazz Interpretation
The unique way that jazz musicians produce sound
A saxophonist may slur or bend a note when playing a melody
A trumpeter may use a plunger mute to create a wah-wah effect
A pianist might crush two notes together to create a bent note effect
These effects are frowned on in much of European-influenced music (i.e. classical
or sacred), but are vital parts of the jazz performance
Element No. 5: Interaction
Although jazz can be performed by a single musician, it is usually performed by
several musicians in some sort of ensemble
Because the musicians are usually all improvising to some degree,
communication must be open and honest
In a jazz performance, one musician who is soloing is still interacting with the
other musicians in the group

Jazz in America Today

While jazz is a true American art form, it gets very little respect in America
The rest of the world loves jazz however, particularly in Europe and Asia

The Instruments of Jazz

The Rhythm Section

Piano

Ferdinand Jelly Roll Morton

Art Tatum
Bud Powell
Oscar Peterson
Herbie Hancock
Chick Corea

Charlie Christian
Django Reinhardt
Freddie Green
Wes Montgomery
Herb Ellis
Joe Pass
Pat Metheny

Jimmy Blanton
Walter Page
Charles Mingus
Ray Brown
Ron Carter
John Patitucci
Christian McBride

Max Roach
Philly Joe Jones
Elvin Jones
Tony Williams
Jack DeJohnette
Steve Gadd
Jeff Tain Watts

Guitar

Bass

Drums

Vibraphone
Lionel Hampton
Milt Jackson
Bobby Hutcherson
Cal Tjader
Gary Burton
Joe Locke

Organ

Jimmy Smith
Richard Groove Holmes
Jack McDuff
Shirley Scott
Lonnie Smith
Joey DeFrancesco
Larry Goldings

Woodwinds

Saxophone (*Conical Bore)

Soprano
Sidney Bechet
John Coltrane
Wayne Shorter
David Liebman
Branford Marsalis
Alto
Charlie Parker
Johnny Hodges
Julian Cannonball Adderley
Paul Desmond
Phil Woods
Art Pepper
Vincent Herring
Kenny Garrett
Tenor
Coleman Hawkins
Lester Young
Dexter Gordon
Sonny Rollins
John Coltrane
Michael Brecker

Baritone
Gerry Mulligan
Pepper Adams
Jack Nimitz
Nick Brignola
Dennis DiBlasio
Gary Smulyan
Clarinet (*Cylindrical Bore)
Benny Goodman
Artie Shaw
Buddy DeFranco
Pete Fountain
Eddie Daniels
Flute
Buddy Collette
Eric Dolphy
Herbie Mann
Joe Farrell
Hubert Laws
James Newton

Brass
Trumpet (*Cylindrical Bore)
Louis Armstrong
John Birks Dizzy Gillespie
Miles Davis
Clifford Brown
Freddie Hubbard
Maynard Ferguson
Wynton Marsalis
Cornet (*Conical Bore)
Buddy Bolden
King Oliver
Bix Beiderbecke
Louis Armstrong
Nat Adderley
Warren Vache
Trombone
Jack Teagarden
Tommy Dorsey
J.J. Johnson
Curtis Fuller
Frank Rosolino
Carl Fontana
Bill Watrous

Flugelhorn (*Conical Bore)

Freddie Hubbard
Chet Baker
Clark Terry
Chuck Mangione
Tuba
Bill Barber
Dave Bargeron
Jim Self
Ray Draper
Rich Matteson
Harvey Phillips
John Noreyko

Sources
History and Tradition of Jazz by Thomas E. Larson
Jazz for Dummies by Dirk Sutro
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.m-w.com
1. Chicago by Oscar Peterson
from the album The Trio 1961
Verve Records 823 008-2
2. The Man I Love by Zoot Sims
from the album Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers
Pablo OJCCD-444-2
3. Memories of You by Benny Goodman
from the album The Benny Goodman Sextet featuring Charlie Christian
Sony
4. The Preacher by Joey DeFrancesco
from the album The Champ
High Note
5. Some Time Ago by Bob Berg
from the album Enter the Spirit
GRP Records
6. Spontaneous Combustion by Cannonball Adderley
from the album The Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San Francisco 1959
Riverside Records OJCCD-035-2
7. Bayou Cruisin by The Bayou Brass Band
from the album Bayou Crusin
Big Fat Silver Sousaphone Records
8. Sweet Rita Suite, Part I by Joe Farrell
from the album Sonic Text
Original Jazz Classics

9. The Hurricane Holler by The Bayou Brass Band

from the album Bayou Crusin
Big Fat Silver Sousaphone Records
10. Pancho by Tony Guerrero
from the album Different Places
Nova Records
11. Go Down Gamblin by Blood, Sweat & Tears
from the album Blood, Sweat & Tears Greatest Hits
Sony