The Evolution of the Jazz Band

The Swing era Big Band evolved from the Dixieland Bands that were forming just after the turn of the century.
Below is a clip of a traditional Dixieland Band.



The next clip shows a modern swing era Big Band.

What are similarities and differences between these two groups. What do you think are some of the 
reasons jazz groups went from the dixieland style groups to the big band style groups?

Weekly Listening Log

Students in Jazz History will complete a weekly listening log. The idea of the listening log is to expose students to American music and record their thoughts and perceptions of what they hear.
The listening log will submitted or posted each week by Friday. Students may opt to include their log record as part of their classroom blog or submit the assignment via email.

A link to the assignment sheet is located HERE and in the links section of the blog.

First listening log is due by Friday 3/22/13

Artist Interview

Our favorite musical artists have earned that status because of certain qualities that appeal to our unique sensibilities. The opportunity to spend some time with our favorite artist is a rare chance to gain insight into their appeal.
Using the Sonny Rollins interview as a model, you are going to conduct an interview with your favorite musical artist. The interview should be in a converstional style not a simple question answer format. (see Sonny Rollins interview)Make sure to find the answers to the following questions in your interview:

• How did you first get involved with music?

• What were your earliest influences?

• What is the thing you most enjoy about making music?

• Are there other artists that you enjoy listening to these days?

• How do you want to be remembered?

You can use internet sources to get more background on your chosen artist. Please cite your sources at the end of the interview. Do not cut and paste, restate any information in your own words.
The interview must be submitted by Monday 3/18/13

You do not need to limit your interview to these questions, but they should be the starting point. Your completed interview should be in the 650-750 word range.

This assignment will count as a quiz grade

Duke Ellington Interview 1973

Duke Ellington gave this interview on his arrival to Sweden in 1973.


In the interview he says, "Jazz? To me the word means freedom of expression."

• What do you think he means when he says these words?

He goes on to say that, "Once jazz is accepted as art, popularity doesn't mean anything. When you get into popularity you are talking about money and not music."

• What do you think he means with this statement?
• Do you agree or disagree with the point he is making and why?

In the final 15 seconds or so of the interview Ellington talks about "the young people as consumers".

• What do you think of his point of view on this subject?
• Does he have a valid point?
• Is this point as valid today as it was in 1973?

The Jazz Age and The Swing Era: Listen Up!*

The improvised solo is a cornerstone of jazz. Instrumentalists, accompanied by a rhythm section or an entire band, perform spontaneous solos over chord changes (the harmonic structure of a tune). The extended improvised jazz solo developed, in part, from breaks, or short phrases performed while the band stops for one or more measures.

Listen to the following excerpts and observe how the soloists play through the breaks. Count the number of beats or measures per break and note the instruments that solo through the break. How does each soloist approach the break? How do the other instruments support the soloist?

• James Reese Europe’s Hellfighter Band,  “Memphis Blues”
• Jelly Roll Morton,  “Black Bottom Stomp”
• Jelly Roll Morton,  “Original Jelly Roll Blues”
• Count Basie and his Orchestra,  “Jumpin’ at the Woodside”

*From NEA Jazz in the School Program

Jazz Evolution: The Swing Era

As we head into the 1920's we are hearing a change in the way jazz is played. The tuba and banjo are being replaced by the string bass and the guitar respectively. The 2 beat feel that accents the first and third beat of every measure is making way for a new 4 beat feel that places emphasis on beats 2 and 4. The music is becoming less about ceremony and more about dancing and free expression.
Find out more about the evolution of the jazz age by reading the essay, The Jazz Age and the Swing Era.

When you complete the reading, please take a brief multiple choice comprehension quiz. You will need to log into Quizstar to complete the quiz.

Beyond the Music: The Impact of Louis Armstrong

We are going to view a short segment of the PBS documentary Jazz. In this video excerpt, A young man by the name of Charles Black has a chance encounter with Louis Armstrong.

• Describe the meeting of Louis Armstrong and Charles Black. (1 paragraph)

• What was Mr. Black's reaction to hearing Louis Armstrong? (1 paragraph)

• How did Mr. Black focus this encounter and inspiration? (1 paragraph)