Jazz– a unique phenomenon in world musical culture. This multifaceted art form originated at the turn of the century (XIX and XX) in the USA. Jazz music has become the brainchild of the cultures of Europe and Africa, a unique fusion of trends and forms from two regions of the world. Subsequently, jazz spread beyond the United States and became popular almost everywhere. This music takes its basis in African folk songs, rhythms and styles. In the history of the development of this direction of jazz, many forms and types are known that appeared as new models of rhythms and harmonics were mastered.
Characteristics of Jazz
The synthesis of two musical cultures made jazz a radically new phenomenon in world art. The specific features of this new music were:
- Syncopated rhythms giving rise to polyrhythms.
- The rhythmic pulsation of music is the beat.
- Complex deviation from the beat - swing.
- Constant improvisation in compositions.
- A wealth of harmonics, rhythms and timbres.
The basis of jazz, especially in the first stages of development, was improvisation combined with a thoughtful form (at the same time, the form of the composition was not necessarily fixed somewhere). And from African music this new style took the following characteristic features:
- Understanding each instrument as a percussion instrument.
- Popular conversational intonations when performing compositions.
- Similar imitation of conversation when playing instruments.
In general, all directions of jazz are distinguished by their own local characteristics, and therefore it is logical to consider them in the context of historical development.
The emergence of jazz, ragtime (1880-1910s)
It is believed that jazz originated among black slaves brought from Africa to the United States of America in the 18th century. Since the captive Africans were not represented by a single tribe, they had to look for mutual language with relatives in the New World. Such consolidation led to the emergence of a unified African culture in America, which included musical culture. It was not until the 1880s and 1890s that the first jazz music emerged as a result. This style was driven by global demand for popular dance music. Since African musical art was replete with similar rhythmic dances, and it was on its basis that a new direction was born. Thousands of middle-class Americans, unable to learn the aristocratic classical dances, began dancing to ragtime pianos. Ragtime introduced several future bases of jazz into music. Thus, the main representative of this style, Scott Joplin, is the author of the “3 versus 4” element (cross-sounding rhythmic patterns with 3 and 4 units, respectively).
New Orleans (1910–1920s)
Classic jazz appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century in the southern states of America, and specifically in New Orleans (which is logical, because it was in the south that the slave trade was widespread).
African and Creole orchestras played here, creating their music under the influence of ragtime, blues and songs of black workers. After the appearance in the city of many musical instruments from military bands, amateur groups began to appear. The legendary New Orleans musician, creator of his own orchestra, King Oliver, was also self-taught. Important date In the history of jazz it became February 26, 1917, when the Original Dixieland Jazz Band released its first gramophone record. The main features of the style were laid down in New Orleans: the beat of percussion instruments, masterful solos, vocal improvisation with syllables - scat.
Chicago (1910–1920s)
In the 1920s, called the “Roaring Twenties” by classicists, jazz music gradually entered the popular culture, losing the titles “shameful” and “indecent.” Orchestras begin to perform in restaurants and move from the southern states to other parts of the United States. Chicago becomes the center of jazz in the north of the country, where free nightly performances by musicians become popular (during such shows there were frequent improvisations and outside soloists). More complex arrangements appear in the style of music. The jazz icon of this time was Louis Armstrong, who moved to Chicago from New Orleans. Subsequently, the styles of the two cities began to be combined into one genre of jazz music - Dixieland. The main feature This style became collective mass improvisation, which erected main idea jazz absolutely.
Swing and big bands (1930s–1940s)
The further rise in popularity of jazz created a demand for large orchestras to play dance tunes. This is how swing appeared, representing characteristic deviations in both directions from the rhythm. Swing became the main style direction of that time, manifesting itself in the work of orchestras. Execution of slim dance compositions required more coordinated playing of the orchestra. Jazz musicians were expected to participate evenly, without much improvisation (except for the soloist), so the collective improvisation of Dixieland became a thing of the past. In the 1930s, similar groups flourished, which were called big bands. A characteristic feature of orchestras of that time was competition between groups of instruments and sections. Traditionally, there were three of them: saxophones, trumpets, drums. The most famous jazz musicians and their orchestras are: Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington. The Last Musician famous for his commitment to black folklore.
Bebop (1940s)
Swing's departure from the traditions of early jazz and, in particular, classical African melodies and styles, caused discontent among history experts. Big bands and swing performers, who increasingly worked for the public, began to be opposed by the jazz music of small ensembles of black musicians. Experimenters introduced super-fast melodies, brought back long improvisation, complex rhythms, and virtuoso control of the solo instrument. A new style, positioning itself as exclusive, began to be called bebop. The icons of this period were outrageous jazz musicians: Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. The revolt of black Americans against the commercialization of jazz, the desire to return intimacy and uniqueness to this music became a key point. From this moment and from this style, the history of modern jazz begins. At the same time, big band leaders also come to small orchestras, wanting to take a break from the big halls. In ensembles called combos, such musicians adhered to a swing style, but were given freedom to improvise.
Cool jazz, hard bop, soul jazz and jazz-funk (1940s–1960s)
In the 1950s, the genre of music such as jazz began to develop in two opposite directions. Supporters of classical music “cooled down” bebop, bringing academic music, polyphony, and arrangement back into fashion. Cool jazz became known for its restraint, dryness and melancholy. The main representatives of this direction of jazz were: Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Dave Brubeck. But the second direction, on the contrary, began to develop the ideas of bebop. The hard bop style preached the idea of returning to the roots of black music. Traditional folklore melodies, bright and aggressive rhythms, explosive soloing and improvisation have returned to fashion. Known in the hard bop style are: Art Blakey, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane. This style developed organically along with soul jazz and jazz-funk. These styles moved closer to the blues, making rhythm a key aspect of performance. Jazz-funk in particular was introduced by Richard Holmes and Shirley Scott.
Jazz is a special type of music that has become especially popular in the United States. Initially, jazz was the music of black citizens of the United States, but later this direction absorbed completely different musical styles, which developed in many countries. We will talk about this development.
The most important feature of jazz, both originally and now, is rhythm. Jazz melodies combine elements of African and European music. But jazz acquired its harmony thanks to European influence. The second fundamental element of jazz to this day is improvisation. Jazz was often played without a pre-prepared melody: only during the game did the musician choose one direction or another, giving in to his inspiration. Thus, right before the eyes of the listeners, as the musician played, music was born.
Over the years, jazz has changed, but it still managed to retain its basic features. An invaluable contribution to this direction was made by the well-known “blues” - lingering melodies, which were also characteristic of blacks. On this moment Most blues melodies are an integral part of the jazz movement. In truth, the blues has had a special influence not only on jazz: rock and roll, country and western also use blues motifs.
Speaking of jazz, it is necessary to mention the American city New Orleans. Dixieland, as New Orleans jazz was called, was the first to combine blues motifs, black church songs, and elements of European folk music.
Later, swing appeared (it is also called jazz in the “big band” style), which also received widespread development. In the 40s and 50s, “ modern jazz", which was a more complex interaction of melodies and harmonies than early jazz. A new approach to rhythm has emerged. Musicians tried to come up with new works using different rhythms, and therefore the technique of drumming became more complicated.
The “New Wave” of jazz swept the world in the 60s: it is considered the jazz of the very aforementioned improvisations. When going out to perform, the orchestra could not predict in what direction and what rhythm their performance would be; none of the jazz players knew in advance when the change in tempo and speed of performance would occur. And it must also be said that such behavior of the musicians does not mean that the music was unbearable: on the contrary, a new approach to performing already existing melodies has emerged. By tracing the development of jazz, we can be convinced that it is a constantly changing music, but which does not lose its foundation over the years.
Let's summarize:
- At first, jazz was the music of black people;
- Two tenets of all jazz melodies: rhythm and improvisation;
- Blues - made a huge contribution to the development of jazz;
- New Orleans jazz (Dixieland) combined blues, church songs and European folk music;
- Swing is a direction of jazz;
- With the development of jazz, the rhythms became more complex, and in the 60s, jazz orchestras again indulged in improvisation during performances.
Jazz is a musical movement that originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States. Its emergence is the result of the interweaving of two cultures: African and European. This movement will combine spirituals (church chants) American blacks, African folk rhythms and European harmonious melody. Its characteristic features are: flexible rhythm, which is based on the principle of syncopation, the use of percussion instruments, improvisation, and an expressive manner of performance, characterized by sound and dynamic tension, sometimes reaching the point of ecstasy. Jazz was originally a combination of ragtime and blues elements. In fact, it grew out of these two directions. The peculiarity of the jazz style is, first of all, the individual and unique play of the jazz virtuoso, and improvisation gives this movement constant relevance.
After jazz itself was formed, a continuous process of its development and modification began, which led to the emergence various directions. Currently there are about thirty of them.
New Orleans (traditional) jazz.
This style usually means exactly the jazz that was performed between 1900 and 1917. It can be said that its emergence coincided with the opening of Storyville (New Orleans' red light district), which gained its popularity due to bars and similar establishments where musicians playing syncopated music could always find work. The previously widespread street orchestras began to be replaced by the so-called “Storyville ensembles,” whose playing was increasingly acquiring individuality compared to their predecessors. These ensembles later became the founders of classical New Orleans jazz. Vivid examples Performers of this style are: Jelly Roll Morton (“His Red Hot Peppers”), Buddy Bolden (“Funky Butt”), Kid Ory. It was they who carried out the transition of African folk music into the first jazz forms.
Chicago Jazz.
In 1917, the next important stage in the development of jazz music began, marked by the appearance of immigrants from New Orleans in Chicago. New jazz orchestras are being formed, the playing of which introduces new elements into early traditional jazz. This is how an independent style of the Chicago school of performance appears, which is divided into two directions: hot jazz of black musicians and Dixieland of whites. The main features of this style: individual solo parts, changes in hot inspiration (the original free ecstatic performance became more nervous, full of tension), synthetics (the music included not only traditional elements, but also ragtime, as well as famous American hits) and changes in instrumental playing (the role of instruments and performing techniques has changed). Fundamental figures of this movement (“What Wonderful World”, “Moon Rivers”) and (“Someday Sweetheart”, “Ded Man Blues”).
Swing is an orchestral style of jazz of the 1920s and 30s that grew directly from the Chicago School and was performed by big bands (The Original Dixieland Jazz Band). It is characterized by the predominance of Western music. Separate sections of saxophones, trumpets and trombones appeared in the orchestras; The banjo is replaced by a guitar, tuba and sazophone - double bass. The music moves away from collective improvisation; the musicians play strictly adhering to pre-written scores. A characteristic technique was the interaction of the rhythm section with melodic instruments. Representatives of this direction: , (“Creole Love Call”, “The Mooche”), Fletcher Henderson (“When Buddha Smiles”), Benny Goodman And His Orchestra, .
Bebop is a modern jazz movement that began in the 40s and was an experimental, anti-commercial movement. Unlike swing, this is a more intellectual style in which great attention There is a focus on complex improvisation and the emphasis is on harmony rather than melody. Music of this style is also characterized by a very fast tempo. The brightest representatives are: Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Max Roach, Charlie Parker (“Night In Tunisia”, “Manteca”) and Bud Powell.
Mainstream. Includes three movements: Stride (northeastern jazz), Kansas City style and West Coast jazz. Hot stride reigned supreme in Chicago, led by such masters as Louis Armstrong, Andy Condon, and Jimmy Mac Partland. Kansas City is characterized by lyrical plays in the blues style. West Coast jazz developed in Los Angeles under the leadership of , and subsequently resulted in cool jazz.
Cool jazz (cool jazz) emerged in Los Angeles in the 50s as a counterpoint to the dynamic and impulsive swing and bebop. Lester Young is considered to be the founder of this style. It was he who introduced a style of sound production unusual for jazz. This style is characterized by the use symphonic instruments and emotional restraint. Such masters as Miles Davis (“Blue In Green”), Gerry Mulligan (“Walking Shoes”), Dave Brubeck (“Pick Up Sticks”), Paul Desmond left their mark in this vein.
Avante-Garde began to develop in the 60s. This avant-garde style is based on a break from the original traditional elements and is characterized by the use of new techniques And expressive means. For the musicians of this movement, self-expression, which they carried out through music, came first. Performers of this movement include: Sun Ra (“Kosmos in Blue”, “Moon Dance”), Alice Coltrane (“Ptah The El Daoud”), Archie Shepp.
Progressive jazz arose in parallel with bebop in the 40s, but it was distinguished by its staccato saxophone technique, a complex interweaving of polytonality with rhythmic pulsation and elements of symphonic jazz. The founder of this trend can be called Stan Kenton. Prominent representatives: Gil Evans and Boyd Rayburn.
Hard bop is a type of jazz that has its roots in bebop. Detroit, New York, Philadelphia - this style was born in these cities. In its aggressiveness, it is very reminiscent of bebop, but blues elements still predominate in it. Featured performers include Zachary Breaux (“Uptown Groove”), Art Blakey and The Jass Messengers.
Soul jazz. This term is commonly used to describe all black music. It draws on traditional blues and African-American folklore. This music is characterized by ostinato bass figures and rhythmically repeating samples, due to which it has gained wide popularity among various masses of the population. Hits in this direction include the compositions of Ramsey Lewis “The In Crowd” and Harris-McCain “Compared To What”.
Groove (aka funk) is an offshoot of soul, but is distinguished by its rhythmic focus. Basically, the music of this direction has a major coloration, and in structure it consists of clearly defined parts for each instrument. Solo performances fit harmoniously into the overall sound and are not too individualized. Performers of this style are Shirley Scott, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Gene Emmons, Leo Wright.
Free jazz got its start in the late 50s thanks to the efforts of such innovative masters as Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor. His characteristic features are atonality, violation of the chord sequence. This style is often called “free jazz”, and its derivatives include loft jazz, modern creative and free funk. Musicians of this style include: Joe Harriott, Bongwater, Henri Texier (“Varech”), AMM (“Sedimantari”).
Creative appeared due to the widespread avant-garde and experimentalism of jazz forms. Such music is difficult to characterize in certain terms, since it is too multifaceted and combines many elements of previous movements. The first followers of this style include Lenny Tristano (“Line Up”), Gunther Schuller, Anthony Braxton, Andrew Cirilla (“The Big Time Stuff”).
Fusion combined elements of almost all musical movements existing at that time. Its most active development began in the 70s. Fusion is a systematic instrumental style characterized by complex time signatures, rhythm, elongated compositions and the absence of vocals. This style is designed for a less broad masses than soul and is its complete opposite. At the head of this trend are Larry Corall and the band Eleventh, Tony Williams and Lifetime (“Bobby Truck Tricks”).
Acid jazz (groove jazz" or "club jazz") arose in Great Britain in the late 80s (heyday 1990 - 1995) and combined funk of the 70s, hip-hop and dance music of the 90s. The emergence of this style was dictated by the widespread use of jazz-funk samples. The founder is considered to be DJ Giles Peterson. Performers in this direction include Melvin Sparks (“Dig Dis”), RAD, Smoke City (“Flying Away”), Incognito and Brand New Heavies.
Post-bop began to develop in the 50s and 60s and is similar in structure to hard bop. It is distinguished by the presence of elements of soul, funk and groove. Often, when characterizing this direction, they draw a parallel with blues rock. Hank Moblin, Horace Silver, Art Blakey (“Like Someone In Love”) and Lee Morgan (“Yesterday”), Wayne Shorter worked in this style.
Smooth jazz is a modern jazz style that arose from the fusion movement, but differs from it in the deliberate polished sound. A special feature of this area is the widespread use of power tools. Famous performers: Michael Franks, Chris Botti, Dee Dee Bridgewater (“All Of Me”, “God Bless The Child”), Larry Carlton (“Dont Give It Up”).
Jazz-manush (gypsy jazz) is a jazz movement specializing in guitar performance. Combines the guitar technique of the gypsy tribes of the Manush group and swing. The founders of this direction are the Ferre brothers and. Most famous performers: Andreas Oberg, Barthalo, Angelo Debarre, Bireli Largen (“Stella By Starlight”, “Fiso Place”, “Autumn Leaves”).
JAZZ. The word jazz, which appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, began to mean type new,
music that sounded then for the first time, as well as the orchestra that played this music
performed. What kind of music is this and how did it appear?
Jazz arose in the USA among the oppressed, disenfranchised black population,
among the descendants of black slaves who were once forcibly taken from their homeland.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the first slave ships with live animals arrived in America.
cargo It was quickly snapped up by the rich of the American South, who became
use slave labor for heavy labor on their plantations. Torn off
from their homeland, separated from loved ones, exhausted from overwork,
black slaves found solace in music.
Blacks are amazingly musical. Their sense of rhythm is especially subtle and sophisticated.
In rare hours of rest, the blacks sang, accompanying themselves by clapping their hands,
hitting empty boxes, cans - everything that was at hand.
At first it was real African music. The one whom the slaves
brought from their homeland. But years and decades passed. In the memory of generations
Memories of the music of the country of our ancestors were erased. All that remained was spontaneous
thirst for music, thirst for movement to music, sense of rhythm, temperament. On
the ear perceived what was sounding around - the music of the whites. And they sang
mostly Christian religious hymns. And the blacks also began to sing them. But
sing in your own way, investing in them all your pain, all your passionate hope for
better life at least beyond the grave. This is how Negro spiritual songs arose
spirituals.
And at the end of the 19th century other songs appeared - songs of complaint, songs
protest. They began to be called the blues. The blues talk about need, about hardship
labor, about disappointed hopes. Blues singers usually accompanied
yourself on some homemade instrument. For example, they adapted
neck and strings for an old box. Only later were they able to buy themselves
real guitars.
Blacks loved to play in orchestras, but even here the instruments had to be
invent yourself. The work involved combs wrapped in tissue paper, veins,
stretched on a stick with a dried pumpkin tied to it instead of a body,
washboards.
After the end of the Civil War of 1861 - 1865, the United States was dissolved
brass bands military units. The instruments that remained from them ended up in
junk shops where they were sold for next to nothing. From there the blacks finally
were able to get real musical instruments. began to appear everywhere
black brass bands. Coal miners, masons, carpenters, peddlers in
in their free time they gathered and played for their own pleasure. Were playing
for any occasion: holidays, weddings, picnics, funerals.
Black musicians played marches and dances. They played, imitating the manner
performance of spirituals and blues - their national vocal music. On
with their trumpets, clarinets, and trombones they reproduced the features
Negro singing, its rhythmic freedom. They didn't know the notes; musical
white schools were closed to them. Played by ear, learning from experienced
musicians, listening to their advice, adopting their techniques. Same for
composed by rumor.
As a result of the transfer of Negro vocal music and Negro rhythm to
a new instrumental sphere was born orchestral music- jazz.
The main features of jazz are improvisation and freedom of rhythm,
free breathing melody. Jazz musicians must be able to improvise
either collectively or solo against the background of a rehearsed accompaniment. What
concerns jazz rhythm (it is denoted by the word swing from the English swing
Swinging), then one of the American jazz musicians wrote about it like this:
"It's the feeling of inspired rhythm that makes musicians feel
ease and freedom of improvisation and gives the impression of unstoppable movement
the entire orchestra forward at an ever-increasing speed, although
in fact, the pace remains the same."
Since its origins in the southern American city of New Orleans, jazz
I've come a long way. It spread first to America and then
worldwide. It ceased to be the art of blacks: very soon they came to jazz
white musicians. Names outstanding masters jazz is known to everyone. This is Louis
Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Glen Miller. This is the singer Ella
Fitzgerald and Bessie Smith.
Jazz music influenced symphonic and operatic music. American composer
George Gershwin wrote "Rhapsody in Blue" for piano with
orchestra, used elements of jazz in his opera Porgy and Bess.
There are jazz in our country too. The first of them arose back in the twenties. This
there was a theatrical jazz orchestra conducted by Leonid Utesov. On
For many years the composer Dunaevsky linked his creative destiny with him.
You've probably heard this orchestra too: it sounds cheerful, until now
since the successful film "Jolly Fellows".
Unlike a symphony orchestra, jazz does not have a permanent composition. Jazz
It is always an ensemble of soloists. And even if by chance the compositions of two jazz
collectives will coincide, after all, they cannot be completely identical: after all, in
In one case, the best soloist will be, for example, a trumpet player, and in another it will be
some other musician.
A new musical direction called jazz originated in turn of the 19th century and 20th centuries as a result of the merger of European musical culture from African. He is characterized by improvisation, expressiveness and a special type of rhythm.
At the very beginning of the twentieth century, new musical ensembles began to be created, called. They included wind instruments (trumpet, trombone clarinet), double bass, piano and percussion instruments.
Famous jazz players, thanks to their talent for improvisation and ability to subtly feel music, gave impetus to the formation of many musical directions. Jazz has become the primary source of many modern genres.
So, whose performance of jazz compositions made the listener's heart skip a beat in ecstasy?
Louis Armstrong
For many music connoisseurs, his name is associated with jazz. The musician's dazzling talent captivated him from the first minutes of his performance. Merging into one with musical instrument– with a trumpet – he plunged his listeners into euphoria. Louis Armstrong went through a difficult journey from a nimble boy from a poor family to the famous King of Jazz.
Duke Ellington
Unstoppable creative personality. A composer whose music played with the modulations of many styles and experiments. The talented pianist, arranger, composer, and orchestra leader never tired of surprising with his innovation and originality.
His unique works were tested with great enthusiasm by the most famous orchestras of the time. It was Duke who came up with the idea of using the human voice as an instrument. More than a thousand of his works, called by connoisseurs the “golden fund of jazz,” were recorded on 620 discs!
Ella Fitzgerald
The “First Lady of Jazz” had a unique voice with a wide range of three octaves. It is difficult to count the honorary awards of the talented American. Ella's 90 albums were distributed around the world in incredible numbers. It is hard to imagine! Over 50 years of creativity, about 40 million albums performed by her have been sold. Masterfully mastering the talent of improvisation, she easily worked in duets with other famous jazz performers.
Ray Charles
One of the most famous musicians, called "a true jazz genius." 70 music albums sold around the world in numerous editions. He has 13 Grammy awards to his name. His compositions have been recorded by the Library of Congress. The popular magazine Rolling Stone ranked Ray Charles number 10 on its “Immortal List” of 100 great artists of all time.
Miles Davis
American trumpeter who has been compared to the artist Picasso. His music was highly influential in shaping the music of the 20th century. Davis represents the versatility of styles in jazz, the breadth of interests and accessibility for audiences of all ages.
Frank Sinatra
The famous jazz player came from a poor family, was short in stature and did not differ in any way in appearance. But he captivated the audience with his velvety baritone. The talented vocalist starred in musicals and dramatic films. Recipient of many awards and special awards. Won an Oscar for The House I Live In
Billie Holiday
A whole era in the development of jazz. The songs performed by the American singer acquired individuality and radiance, playing with tints of freshness and novelty. The life and work of “Lady Day” was short, but bright and unique.
Famous jazz musicians have enriched the art of music with sensual and soulful rhythms, expressiveness and freedom of improvisation.