Jazz Styles Periods

- browse JBT transcriptions choosing the sound-style you prefer! -


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)...

Try searching for these sonorities by browsing the following JBT tags:

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)...



View all transcriptions

Jazz Legends

- discover some bass transcriptions of greatest jazz musicians -




Band Types

- search your bass transcriptions by number of musicians in the band -




Tag Cloud

- search your bass transcriptions by tag/keyword about jazz world -


Milt Jackson and Wes MontgomeryThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Ben WebsterRed Garland TrioTom Jobim at the PianoEnrico Pieranunzi at the PianoKind of BlueChick Corea's MusicKenny Dorham's MusicHoagy Carmichael's MusicJohn Coltrane Quartet with Johnny HartmanTwo Double BassesJohn Lewis' MusicThe Duke Ellington OrchestraCharles Mingus Leader AlbumHorace Parlan Leader AlbumWarren Wolf with Christian McBrideSam Jones Leader AlbumNancy Wilson's VoiceAllan Holdsworth Leader AlbumGerry Mulligan QuartetPat Metheny with Jim HallRed Garland's MusicMilt Jackson QuartetStan Getz Leader AlbumHorace Silver and the Jazz MessengersTommy Flanagan with Red MitchellFreddie Hubbard Leader AlbumLou Donaldson Leader AlbumStan Getz and The Oscar Peterson TrioDexter Gordon QuartetVillage VanguardHorace Silver Trio with Art BlakeyLee Kontiz Leader AlbumAhmad Jamal TrioThe Horace Silver QuintetTadd Dameron's MusicSteve Swallow's MusicOscar Pettiford Leader AlbumMel Lewis SextetRodgers - Hammerstein's MusicFrank Sinatra SingsThad Jones' MusicCharlie Parker's ReboppersDave Holland QuintetHammerstein - Kern's MusicBill Evans QuintetKenny Wheeler Leader AlbumBill Evans Leader AlbumMontgomery BrothersRodgers - Hart's MusicMiles Davis QuintetWynton Kelly TrioDave Holland Big BandClifford Brown SextetHank Jones at the PianoGerry Mulligan with Thelonious MonkSwedish JazzDado Moroni with Tom HarrellEsperanza Spalding's MusicPat Moran TrioJim Hall with Ron CarterTommy Flanagan TrioJoe Henderson Leader AlbumThe Ornette Coleman QuartetEric Dolphy's MusicPaul Desmond Leader AlbumClifford Brown and Max RoachThe Poll WinnersBud Powell TrioCedar Walton at the PianoThelonious Monk's MusicJohn Coltrane QuartetOscar Peterson's MusicSonny Clark Leader AlbumEric Dolphy Leader AlbumBud Powell's MusicJimmy Rowles with Ray BrownMcCoy Tyner TrioMiles Davis' MusicMal Waldron's MusicCal Tjader SextetA.C. Jobim's MusicMonk in TokyoShorty Rogers and his giantsWes Montgomery Leader AlbumRay Brown with Pierre BoussaguetMiles Davis' First Great QuintetHouston Person with Ron CarterToots Thielemans's MusicHank Mobley's MusicArt Blakey & The Jazz MessengersSonny Clark's MusicClifford Brown's MusicTadd Dameron SextetJoe Henderson TrioChet Baker Sings and PlaysWynton Kelly's MusicVictor Young's MusicChet Baker SingsVictor Feldman's MusicCedar Walton's MusicJimmy Van Heusen's MusicGershwin's MusicJohn Coltrane Leader AlbumThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Ralph MooreTadd Dameron Leader AlbumLee Morgan Leader AlbumRon Carter's MusicThe Count Basie OrchestraSam Jones' MusicSonny Rollins in EuropeItalian Jazz MusiciansPaul Chambers QuartetDizzy Gillespie's MusicKenny Dorham QuartetBill Mobley Leader AlbumThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Clark TerrySonny Rollins' MusicChicago JazzJoe Pass with NHØ PedersenJay Jay Johnson Leader AlbumKenny Burrell with Jimmy RaneySam Rivers' MusicBennie Moten's MusicSonny Stitt Leader AlbumThe Dave Brubeck QuartetCannonball Adderley Leader AlbumErroll Garner at the PianoHenry Mancini's MusicHampton Hawes Leader AlbumJoshua Redman Leader AlbumThelonious Monk QuartetJoe Henderson QuartetChet Baker in ItalyBarga JazzOscar Peterson Leader AlbumRay Brown Leader AlbumUmbria JazzCharles Mingus TrioEllington - Gershwin's MusicRadiohead's MusicBobby Timmons TrioWynton Kelly Leader AlbumBill Evans Trio with Stan GetzKeith Jarrett Acoustic DuoMiles Davis Leader AlbumHank Mobley Leader AlbumHorace Silver's MusicColtrane ChangesPaul Chambers' MusicSheila Jordan's VoiceCharlie Parker Leader AlbumJohnny Griffin Leader AlbumDon Byas QuartetBill Evans' MusicLucky Thompson Leader AlbumColeman Hawkins Swing FourDizzy Gillespie SextetWayne Shorte Leader AlbumOliver Nelson Leader AlbumKenny Burrel's MusicPat Metheny with Larry GrenadierBenny Goodman SextetJazz with String OrchestraGil Evans' arrangementKenny Barron with Charlie HadenRay Noble's MusicSonny Rollins Quartet with John ColtraneCharles Mingus' MusicKaper - Washington's MusicMiles Davis' First Great Quintet with Cannonball AdderleyRay Brown TrioPaul Chambers Leader AlbumThe Oscar Peterson TrioBen Webster with Harry Sweets EdisonRon Carter TrioRudy Van GelderMcCoy Tyner's MusicBenny Golson's MusicThe Charles Mingus Quintet & Max RoachPaul Chambers QuintetCharlie Haden's Quartet WestRay Brown Trio with Ulf WakeniusHank Jones with Charlie HadenButch Warren's MusicBenny Goodman And His OrchestraMingus Big BandBobby Timmons' MusicAhmad Jamal's MusicThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Louis ArmstrongBrad Mehldau's MusicDave Holland's MusicMajor Holley QuintetHerbie Hancock Leader AlbumNina Simone Leader AlbumJimmy Heath's MusicFats Waller's MusicHerbie Hancock QuartetPat Metheny Acoustic DuoThe Don Byas - Slam Stewart DuoJ. R. Monterose Leader AlbumMilt Jackson's MusicBill Stewart Leader AlbumJohn Coltrane's MusicDuke Ellington's MusicJuan Tizol's MusicDiana Krall Leader AlbumJerome Kern's MusicMilt Jackson Leader AlbumBurt Bacharach's MusicTony Williams' MusicJackie McLean Leader AlbumGrant Green Leader AlbumOrnette Coleman Leader AlbumDave Brubeck's MusicGeorges Arvanitas TrioKenny Wheeler's MusicThelonious Monk TrioRay Brown's MusicRichard Rodgers' MusicIrving Berlin's MusicHank Jones with Christian McBrideMonk in ParisPat Metheny's MusicChick Corea Leader AlbumKeith Jarrett TrioMiles Davis Quintet with John ColtraneSonny Clark TrioTeo Macero's ProductionJohn Coltrane with Thelonious MonkGerry Mulligan with Johnny HodgesCannonball Adderley with the Poll WinnersCedar Walton Leader AlbumJimmy McHugh's MusicJazz ContrafactChet Baker PlaysStan Getz & João GilbertoRoy Haynes Leader AlbumWilbur Ware QuintetGerry Mulligan's MusicLee Morgan's MusicJackie McLean's MusicThe Modern Jazz QuartetHampton Hawes' MusicJohn Coltrane with Tadd DameronKenny Barron Leader AlbumKeith Jarrett with Charlie HadenBobby Timmons Leader AlbumBlue Mitchell QuartetPat Metheny with Charlie HadenFrank Loesser's MusicMiles Davis All-Star SextetDave Holland SextetBarry Harris TrioBirth of the CoolCole Porter's MusicLiberation Music OrchestraWayne Shorter's MusicMarsalis - Lee's MusicThelonious Monk Leader AlbumBilly Strayhorn's MusicVictor Feldman TrioCannonball Adderley's MusicBooker Little Leader AlbumHank Jones Leader AlbumNina Simone at the PianoBill Evans with Eddie GomezMichel Legrand's MusicWarne Marsh Leader AlbumLou Donaldson QuintetBob Dylan's MusicRed Garland Trio with Art PepperChristian McBride TrioOrnette Coleman's MusicEsbjörn Svensson TrioWes Montgomery's MusicThe London House SessionsCharlie Parker's MusicDexter Gordon Leader AlbumErnie Watts Leader AlbumRed Garland Trio with John ColtraneElla Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong with Oscar Peterson QuartetMiles Davis SextetMiles Davis QuartetLennon - McCartney's MusicSonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz QuartetPaul Chambers SextetKenny Burrell Leader AlbumBill Evans TrioOscar Pettiford's MusicHerbie Hancock's MusicBrad Mehldau TrioDuke Ellington at the PianoSchwartz - Dietz's MusicMcCoy Tyner at the PianoWarren Bernhardt TrioRay Brown Trio with Ralph MooreKenny Barron with Dave HollandHank Jones' MusicKenny Barron at the PianoCharlie Haden's MusicNewportVernon Duke's MusicCannonball Adderley QuintetOliver Nelson's MusicThe Blanton–Webster BandGrant Green's MusicJoe Henderson's MusicThe Ron Carter NonetSonny Rollins Leader AlbumPat Metheny Leader AlbumMiles Davis' Second Great QuintetSonny Rollins TrioDexter Gordon's MusicPorgy and BessQuincy Jones' ArrangementTraditional Irish MelodyEsperanza Spalding Leader AlbumGeorge Shearing's MusicJohnny Hartman Leader Album