Jazz Styles Periods

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CHARACTERISTICS: Use of collective improvisation (polyphony). Front line of trumpet (or cornet), clarinet, trombone. New Orleans style typically included banjo and tuba, later replaced by guitar and string bass in Chicago Style. Chicago Style also typically adds saxophone to the front line. Use of flat four in New Orleans Style, later replaced by lighter two beat feel in Chicago Style: the time signature and rhythm changed from 4/4 to 2/4 (accenting beats 2 and 4, rather than 1 and 3). Modern drum set emerges when New Orleans musicians begin to consolidate the drum section (bass, snare, cymbals) commonly found in early New Orleans brass bands.

IMPORTANT MUSICIANS: Louis Armstrong (cornet/trumpet), Bix Beiderbecke (cornet), Jelly Roll Morton (piano/composer), Sidney Bechet (soprano sax, clarinet), Buddy Bolden (cornet), Joe "King" Oliver (cornet/bandleader), Earl "Fatha" Hines (piano)...

CHARACTERISTICS: Most popular period in jazz history. Large ensembles, less improvisation, more emphasis on written arrangements. Emphasis on showmanship (band uniforms, theme songs, logos on stands, choreography, singers). Development of sections (saxes, trumpets, trombones, rhythm) based on the early model of the front line in New Orleans/Chicago Style Dixieland. Smoother swing feel (steady 4/4 time with emphasis on beats 2 & 4, walking bass, ride cymbal). Features of standard big band arrangements could include: Tutti (all horns playing a melodic line in harmony), Soli (one section featured playing a melodic line in harmony), Shout Chorus (climatic tutti section at the end of the arrangement), Cross-section voicing (a harmonized melodic line voiced using instruments from different sections within the band), Riffs (repeated short melodic and/or rhythmic pattern).

IMPORTANT MUSICIANS: Duke Ellington (piano/composer), Count Basie (piano/bandleader), Benny Goodman (clarinet/bandleader), Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax), Lester Young (tenor sax), Roy Eldridge (trumpet)...

CHARACTERISTICS: Small ensembles (trio, quartet, quintet). Focus on improvisation rather than on complex arrangements. Complex, angular melodies usually played in unison. Longer, irregular phrasing. Usually faster tempos than in swing. Emphasis on virtuosity, instrumental technique. Drummer is now more interactive (dropping bombs) with soloist. Use of contrafacts (original melody lines written over standard chord progressions). Increased harmonic complexities (alterations and substitutions of standard chord progressions).

IMPORTANT MUSICIANS: Charlie Parker (alto sax), Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet), Bud Powell (piano), Thelonious Monk (piano/composer), Max Roach (drums), Dexter Gordon (tenor sax), J.J. Johnson (trombone)...

CHARACTERISTICS: Calm, unhurried approach to improvisation. Thinner textures, softer dynamics, smoother melodic phrasing. Horn players tend to play with a lighter, less harsh tone quality with little vibrato (influence of Lester Young). Less intense kicks/bombs by drummers, increased use of brushes. More intricate arrangements, an emphasis on composition. New instrumental combinations (flute, cello, french horn, oboe, etc.). Renewed interest of collective improvisation. Less obvious blues influence.

IMPORTANT MUSICIANS: Miles Davis (trumpet), Dave Brubeck (piano/composer), Paul Desmond & Lee Konitz (alto sax), Lennie Tristano (piano/composer/teacher), Chet Baker (trumpet/vocals), Gerry Mulligan (bari sax/composer), Modern Jazz Quartet, Stan Getz (tenor sax), Gil Evans (piano/composer)...

CHARACTERISTICS: Raw, hard driving style with an emotional emphasis. Extensive use of the blues & gospel music. Emphasis on "groove" (funky), danceability and the "shuffle" rhythm. Latin elements and a "straight" eighth note feel used at times. Somewhat slower tempos and simpler melodies than in bop. Primarily black musicians from New York City, Detroit and Philadelphia.

IMPORTANT MUSICIANS: Art Blakey (drums) & The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver (piano), Sonny Rollins (tenor sax), John Coltrane (tenor sax), Hank Mobley (tenor sax), Clifford Brown (trumpet), Lee Morgan (trumpet), Cannonball Adderley (alto sax), Charles Mingus (bass/composer), Benny Golson (tenor sax/composer) & The Jazztet, Miles Davis' (trumpet) "classic" quintet (1955-59), The Oscar Peterson Trio, The Bill Evans Trio, Joe Henderson (tenor sax), Wes Montgomery (guitar), João Gilberto (guitar/vocals/composer), Tom Jobim (composer/arranger/piano/vocals), Vinícius de Moraes (vocals/songwriter)...

CHARACTERISTICS: Open or free forms; tunes often complete improvisations. Lack of preset chord changes. Usually dense textures, high energy playing (energy music). Collective improvisation of a more dissonant, atonal nature. Oftentimes ensembles omit use of a piano or chord instrument. Experimental instruments & instrumentations. Use of unorthodox sounds (squeaks, screams, noise, etc) and extended techniques (altissimo register, multiphonics, etc). Interest in non-western musical concepts (world music) and 20th century classical composers such as John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen.

IMPORTANT MUSICIANS: Ornette Coleman (alto sax/composer), Cecil Taylor (piano/composer), Albert Ayler (tenor sax), Anthony Braxton (saxophones/composer)...

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CHARACTERISTICS: Extensive use of electronic instruments: electric piano (Fender Rhodes), synthesizers (multiple keyboards), electric bass (bass guitar), electric guitar, electronic modifications on acoustic instruments. Focus of attention on the rhythm section. More attention on studio recording technology and the process of recording. More emphasis on straight eighth note feel (rock) than on swing. Harmony often simple chord repetitions (static harmony, vamps). Bass lines often repetitive. Pieces range from simple melodies with vamps and open forms to complex through-composed , sectionalized compositions. Saxophones used more often than brass instruments.

IMPORTANT MUSICIANS: Miles Davis (trumpet/bandleader: Bitches' Brew, In A Silent Way), Chick Corea (keyboards/leader: Return to Forever), Herbie Hancock (piano/leader/composer), Wayne Shorter (tenor/soprano sax), Weather Report (group), Tony Williams (drums/composer), John McLaughlin (guitar/leader: Mahavishnu Orchestra)...

CHARACTERISTICS: No single dominant stylistic trend has emerged in the 1980s or 90s. Instead, a continuation of previous styles, crossovers, and new styles derived from various sources are common. Some notable trends within this eclecticism seem to be: 1) a further sophistication of electronic jazz through the use of computers, 2) a resurgent neo-bop and neo-traditionalist movement (Neo-Classicism), 3) expanded instrumental & vocal techniques, 4) a greater involvement of women, and 5) the growth of European and "world music" jazz styles.

IMPORTANT MUSICIANS: Pat Metheny Group (fusion band), Michael Brecker (tenor sax: also founding member of fusion group Steps Ahead), Wynton Marsalis (trumpet/composer: associated with Neo-Classic movement), Joe Lovano (tenor sax), Kenny Garrett (alto sax), Don Byron (clarinet/composer), Dave Douglas (trumpet/composer), Bobby McFerrin (voice), Steve Coleman (alto sax: associated with M-BASE movement), Cassandra Wilson (voice: associated with M-BASE movement), Dave Sanborn (alto sax), Chick Corea's Elektric Band (fusion band), John Scofield (guitar), Keith Jarrett Trio (piano/bass/drums acoustic jazz trio)...



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Kenny Burrell with Jimmy RaneyLou Donaldson QuintetDave Holland's MusicLiberation Music OrchestraHoagy Carmichael's MusicSonny Rollins in EuropeJay Jay Johnson Leader AlbumBarry Harris TrioClifford Brown and Max RoachJimmy McHugh's MusicGil Evans' arrangementErroll Garner at the PianoDizzy Gillespie's MusicDexter Gordon QuartetMcCoy Tyner TrioBen Webster with Harry Sweets EdisonSonny Clark Leader AlbumCharlie Haden's Quartet WestHorace Silver Trio with Art BlakeyNewportRichard Rodgers' MusicElla Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong with Oscar Peterson QuartetMiles Davis' MusicGerry Mulligan with Thelonious MonkGrant Green's MusicBud Powell's MusicOscar Peterson Leader AlbumThe Ornette Coleman QuartetOrnette Coleman's MusicKaper - Washington's MusicKenny Barron with Dave HollandThad Jones' MusicTadd Dameron Leader AlbumChet Baker PlaysPaul Desmond Leader AlbumMiles Davis Quintet with John ColtraneSonny Rollins TrioKenny Burrell Leader AlbumArt Blakey & The Jazz MessengersWes Montgomery's MusicEllington - Gershwin's MusicBlue Mitchell QuartetCannonball Adderley Leader AlbumRay Brown Trio with Ulf WakeniusDuke Ellington's MusicSonny Rollins Leader AlbumPat Metheny with Charlie HadenBill Stewart Leader AlbumHank Jones at the PianoColtrane ChangesLee Morgan's MusicFrank Sinatra SingsWynton Kelly Leader AlbumColeman Hawkins Swing FourWes Montgomery Leader AlbumChristian McBride TrioJohnny Hartman Leader AlbumVernon Duke's MusicBud Powell TrioMiles Davis All-Star SextetHerbie Hancock QuartetThe Count Basie OrchestraRed Garland's MusicBooker Little Leader AlbumThelonious Monk Leader AlbumRay Noble's MusicBrad Mehldau TrioRed Garland Trio with John ColtraneCharles Mingus Leader AlbumJoe Pass with NHØ PedersenDuke Ellington at the PianoRed Garland TrioJohn Coltrane with Tadd DameronThe Duke Ellington OrchestraCharlie Parker's MusicPaul Chambers QuartetEnrico Pieranunzi at the PianoKenny Barron with Charlie HadenMiles Davis QuintetSonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz QuartetKeith Jarrett TrioDexter Gordon Leader AlbumDon Byas QuartetCedar Walton Leader AlbumHerbie Hancock Leader AlbumBill Evans Trio with Stan GetzMilt Jackson's MusicJohn Coltrane with Thelonious MonkSonny Rollins' MusicRon Carter's MusicTadd Dameron's MusicRay Brown's MusicCannonball Adderley with the Poll WinnersChicago JazzTraditional Irish MelodyPat Metheny Leader AlbumHorace Parlan Leader AlbumChet Baker SingsBobby Timmons' MusicThe Blanton–Webster BandBurt Bacharach's MusicRed Garland Trio with Art PepperWayne Shorter's MusicRadiohead's MusicBill Evans' MusicVictor Feldman TrioCedar Walton at the PianoBobby Timmons Leader AlbumSonny Clark TrioThelonious Monk QuartetItalian Jazz MusiciansBennie Moten's MusicJackie McLean's MusicSonny Stitt Leader AlbumKenny Barron Leader AlbumNina Simone Leader AlbumJoe Henderson Leader AlbumMilt Jackson Leader AlbumPat Metheny's MusicWynton Kelly TrioSam Rivers' MusicBobby Timmons TrioTwo Double BassesRodgers - Hammerstein's MusicKenny Dorham's MusicWilbur Ware QuintetThe Oscar Peterson TrioDave Brubeck's MusicMonk in TokyoDave Holland QuintetJoe Henderson TrioJackie McLean Leader AlbumThe Don Byas - Slam Stewart DuoHammerstein - Kern's MusicVictor Feldman's MusicCharlie Haden's MusicRay Brown Trio with Ralph MooreDado Moroni with Tom HarrellThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Ben WebsterGerry Mulligan QuartetKenny Wheeler Leader AlbumCole Porter's MusicStan Getz Leader AlbumWarren Wolf with Christian McBrideSonny Clark's MusicHank Jones with Christian McBrideSam Jones' MusicGerry Mulligan with Johnny HodgesCharles Mingus TrioWarne Marsh Leader AlbumIrving Berlin's MusicHank Mobley's MusicTom Jobim at the PianoJazz with String OrchestraThe Modern Jazz QuartetChet Baker in ItalyFreddie Hubbard Leader AlbumJimmy Heath's MusicButch Warren's MusicStan Getz & João GilbertoTadd Dameron SextetRay Brown with Pierre BoussaguetAhmad Jamal's MusicMarsalis - Lee's MusicCedar Walton's MusicBill Evans with Eddie GomezPaul Chambers Leader AlbumKeith Jarrett with Charlie HadenHampton Hawes Leader AlbumThe Charles Mingus Quintet & Max RoachKenny Burrel's MusicMel Lewis SextetOscar Pettiford's MusicChick Corea Leader AlbumHenry Mancini's MusicSteve Swallow's MusicJohn Coltrane Leader AlbumPorgy and BessMal Waldron's MusicJimmy Van Heusen's MusicDizzy Gillespie SextetJoe Henderson QuartetOscar Pettiford Leader AlbumMiles Davis' First Great Quintet with Cannonball AdderleyOliver Nelson Leader AlbumHorace Silver's MusicRudy Van GelderJazz ContrafactHerbie Hancock's MusicCannonball Adderley's MusicThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Ralph MooreBrad Mehldau's MusicJ. 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