Sidney Bechet

Sidney Bechet was one of the true pioneers of early jazz music. Compared to Louis Armstrong, however, he is a minor player in the history of jazz.

After you have completed your reading and listening, plaease share your thoughts on the man and his style. How would you describe his playing to someone else? What was unique about his choice of instrument? And...

From what you have read, heard and seen, please offer your thoughts as to why you believe Sidney Bechet is a marginal figure in jazz history and not the pioneering hero of jazz he perhaps deserves to be.

National Public Radio (NPR) Biography of Sidney Bechet

Story of the Soprano Sax with Audio Clips

PBS Jazz Bio on Sidney Bechet

Something for Sidney (Lyrics)- Written by Bob Dorough

Louis Armstrong Scavenger Hunt

Louis Armstrong is a towering figure in the world of Jazz. His influence has been well documented and is unquestioned. Please take a few minutes and respond to the linked scavenger hunt in this post. This will give you more information about the man, the myth, the legend.

Louis Armstrong Scavenger Hunt (Word Doc)

Early Jazz Prezi

This post contains A Prezi that is an overview of the development of early jazz styles. It is embedded with audio and video that illustrates the content in the slides.

Prezi Link

Louis Armstrong- The Competitor?

This video is a classic example of a musical sparring match.
Armstrong had been critical of the younger players (such as Dizzy Gillespie in this video).
There is always an element of competition in musical performance. In this case it almost seems like the two sides are "musically making up" in the good-natured feel of the performance.

• Do you notice any differences in how Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong approach playing the trumpet?
• How would you describe the musical differences?
• Can you think of other examples of musicians who may have had musical disagreements but overcame them with music?
• Can you think of any examples when the differences were not mended?

Jazz Origins Quiz

Please open the link to the Jazz Origins Quiz and complete the quiz.
The completed quiz can be sent via email:
trombleys@grafton.k12.ma.us   or
graftonhsband@gmail.com

Thank You

The influence of celebrity

Louis Armstrong was called "Ambassador Satch" because of his many tours representing the United States abroad and because of his promotion of American music throughout the world.

• Do you think celebrities hold influence over the views or politics of the world around them?
• Can you think of an example of a celebrity who uses their popularity to influence popular decision or politics?
• Do you think celebrities should be granted this influence? Why or why not?

Quiz on Jazz Origins Thursday 2/7/13

We will have a quiz on Thursday 2/7/13. The scope of the quiz will include vocabulary list 1, the Advent of Jazz essay from the NEA, the Blues, information discussed in class, video comprehension, and early jazz styles.

Understanding form: The 12-bar blues

Please read this description of the blues form and listen to this recording of Elmore James singing "Dust my Broom".

From what you've read and heard on the blues, please respond to the following prompts:

• What characteristics of the blues helped to make it a universal form known around the world and played by all manner of jazz, blues and rock musicians?
• What characteristics of the blues made it, initially, a musical form that was not fully embraced by main-stream society?
• Why was W.C. Handy so important in the development of the blues as a popular musical style?

Advent of Jazz

Please read the 1st essay found in the National Endowment for the Arts website "Jazz in the Schools". The Essay is entitled "The Advent of Jazz: The Dawn of the 20th Century". You can find a link HERE.

When you complete the essay, please complete the brief multiple choice quiz found in the quiz section of the old classroom website.

N.B. Please take the time to listen to the musical examples and follow the links to sidebars and additional information about artists and the era. These links will help reinforce and inform you thoughts on the subject matter.