Modal jazz originated in the late 1950s. It gained a lot of exposure with the release of the album Kind of Blue. One major notable change is that chord progression was replaced by modes as a background harmonic rhythm in modal jazz. (Martin, Waters, p.178-79) An example of a mode is a Dorian mode. Dorian mode has the sixth note of the scale one-half step higher than minor scale. So a Dorian mode ranging from D to D is called a D dorian. (Hopkins Lesson 10) Common instruments used in Modal jazz includes piano, saxophone, trumpet, bass, and drums. Techniques commonly used in modal jazz include slow-moving harmonic rhythm, pedal points, the absent of chord progressions, etc. (Martin, Waters, p.178-79) “A pedal point is a repeated or sustained …show more content…
He is also a big contributor to modal jazz. One of his notable works is with Miles Davis in the recording of Kind of Blue album. Within the album, Bill Evans showcases his chord voicing, comping and graceful solo style. (Hopkins Lesson 10) Comping is the “improvisation of accompanying chords” (Hopkins Lesson 3a). Bill Evans demonstrates his style of comping and his solo style in “Flamenco Sketches”. He uses comping to connect and provided a smooth transition for each solo in Flamenco Sketches. We can also observe his chord voicing in “So What” and “Flamenco Sketches”. (Hopkins Lesson 10) Bill Evans is also known for his comping feint style. This is where he would almost match the rhythm of his right-hand improvisation using chords with his left hand. (jazzpianoconcepts.com) He showcases his style of improvising graceful solo in his piece “Peace Piece”. Bill Evans recorded most of his work in a group. One of his well-known trio is one with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian. During his trio, Bill Evans showcased his ability to essentially communicating with the bass and drums with his leaner playing style. (Hopkins Lesson 10) Of course, some of it can be attributed to LaFaro’s and Motian’s mastery on their respective
The first appearance of jazz was at the turn of the century in New Orleans and is called “Dixieland Jazz,” or “Classic Jazz.” It developed out of music for street parades in the black community. It also had deeper roots in a style of music called “Blues,” which was used to express the daily experiences of the community (History). Other influences include the combination of West African folk music with the popular classical music of Europe, developing into syncopated rhythms and chord variations on classical pieces (Passion).
“West End Blues” begins with a 12-second trumpet solo that displayed Armstrong’s wonderful range and demonstrated the syncopated styling unique
When discussing the history of Jazz, an important type of music is developed that changed the music industry. This music, bebop, helped to influence other types of music, and it also let us appreciate jazz more
From the jazz saxophone, Michael Brecker has grasped the nearly perfect skills, who can make full use of the instrument in his hands with the excellent performance skills. Many later Jazz players want to follow his step and imitate his style. Some musicians comment his music style as the strength of John Coltrane, the rhythm of Sonny Rollins and the harmony of Joe Henderson and Wayne Shorter. In fact, it can see all of these in the music works of Michael. Most importantly, he has broken through the traditional Jazz music and create a new Michael Brecker’s Jazz
Imagine attending a concert in which if you were to close your eyes, you would assume that the music you are hearing is being created by a cast of band members, each playing their respective instruments. Contrary to your assumptions, however, this band only consists of one member. Keller Williams, dubbed by critics as a one-man-band, is one of a kind both in his musical talent and his solo act. Very few solo musicians have mastered such a multi-dimensional sound and captivating live show as Keller, making him standout amongst today’s musicians. Keller’s ability to perform improvisational live shows, form a large and dedicated fan base, and share the beliefs and attitudes of the hippie generation has given him the musical identity of the jam band genre in addition to his personal identity of being a solo act.
He left a rich Jazz heritage for people around the world. People can appreciate the excellence of a grand master from the following classic singles, West End Blues, Savoy Blues, Potato Head Blues, Weather Bird, I'm Not Rough and Heebie Jeebies. Not a jazz musician could be known to win support from a family like him. His works have been reprinted several times in the past thirty years (Gourse and Louis 342).
Davis’ playing Incorporated many styles, from bop to modal fusion. Oftentimes Davis was the victim of negative criticism because of his adopting sometimes unpopular styles of music, but he is most respected for being one of a few jazz musicians who continually took the music to newer and more creative heights.
Jazz is referred as “America’s classical music,” and is one of North America’s and most celebrated genres. The history of Jazz can be traced back to the early era of the 20th century of the U.S. “A History of Jazz” presents From Ragtime and Blues to Big Band and Bebop, jazz has been a part of a proud African American tradition for over 100 years. A strong rhythmic under-structure, blue notes, solos, “call-and response” patterns, and
The evolvement of jazz throughout the years has been an interesting one. Blues and Ragtime are just two simple innovations that has allowed for many variations in the jazz genre. Both of these genres have their similarities and differences in how they influenced jazz music through: improvisation, syncopation, and experimentation.
A single artist can have a very strong impact on a whole genre of Music. We have seen this time and time again through artists such as Charlie Parker, David Brubeck, John Coltrane, Art Blakey, Miles Davis, and various others. All of these artists had tremendous influences on the different eras that evolved throughout the history of Jazz. Bill Evans, and American jazz pianist, was no different. Just as Charlie Parker had started the evolution of Bebop and influenced the subsequent generations of Jazz Artists, Bill Evans has influenced Modern Jazz and the generations of artists that followed him. Throughout his career and his works with various other artists, Bill Evans has cemented himself as one of the great influences on modern day Jazz.
Teachout, Terry. "John Hammond's jazz." Commentary 122.3 (2006): 55+. Academic OneFile. Web. 16 Nov. 2011.
Jazz comprises of a wide range of music from the ragtime to the present music listened to by many people. The music evolution has taken roughly 100 years and jazz has been put in this particular evolution as one of the music styles today. In the definition of jazz, there is no actual definition of jazz because it a composition of very many music styles hence making it hard to get the required definition that would describe it fully. Attempts being made to define jazz have a basis of traditional music that have similar characteristics as jazz but not real jazz. Using the American or African music examples, the researchers argue that the definition is very broad and wide. Ernest Berendt one of the researchers says that jazz originated from America in the process of confronting Negros with Europeans in terms of music. This can then be termed as a tool of identity between the two groups of people due to the racist and discrimination aspects that faced America. This was now a tool that could identify the two groups to bring about national integration and understanding among the members of America. In America jazz has incorporated time as a special factor and is now referred to as swing. Swing means spontaneity and vitality of the production of music which has an improvisation role to play to the listeners. This particular jazz music contains a particular manner of phrasing which acts as a mirror to an individual and the personality of the musician performing that particular jazz music on stage. The early jazz musicians include Double Bassist Reggie Workman, saxophone player Pharaoh Sanders, and drummer Idris Muhammad who were performing in 1978 hence dating back to early jazz performance and presentation.
In 1920 the Jazz music has emerged in the City of New Orleans and from there, there were also many great New Orleans Jazz musicians. Jazz is a music style that combines of three main element improvisation, bluesy flavor and swing feeling. Often, African American play Jazz on the street of New Orleans and they started to form bands and perform for people without charging them money. In the early history of Jazz, there was one major artist that has major contributions to Jazz, his name is Louis Armstrong. Armstrong was one of early jazz musicians who were born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Though, many African American Jazz musicians play music on the street of New Orleans but there was not any known record of their musics. Armstrong was one of those early Jazz musicians who move to Chicago where later he play and develop historic jazz style called improvision. Louis Armstrong well known as a soloist performer of his cornet or trumpet. Louis Armstrong using improvising technique where he can compose music while he is solo with his trumpet and create smooths and depth melodies.
I noticed he constantly switched from the synthesizer to the keyboard, and this was to change the tune and make it sound layered as I mentioned before. I also noticed that at times he played the keyboard slowly and other times he would play extremely fast. So rapidly that I even questioned how a man can first not only move his arms so fast but also play so beautifully at such high speeds. A tune he played even sounded like a swish-swashing sound, and I was amazed by how a synthesizer and keyboard can possibly make such sounds. I also noticed that for this song that both Lionel Loueke and Dave Holland played the guitar, and I think this was to match the fusion electric instrument style. Overall, the entire band did a great opening for their performance; everyone looked like they were doing their own thing and were very content.
The term modern jazz generally referred to the musical period after bebop, when musicians begun to approached harmony in different aspect. Modern jazz was often overlooked, often defined as jazz derivation or hybrid and was influenced by variety of musicians; among them was Bill Evans. He was one of the most important jazz pianists, and remained to be one of the most influential musicians of post-bebop jazz, due to his prominent sound that made him recognizable to everyone. According to Bert Konowitz, “Bill Evans Sound is created by using chords in the left hand that often do not have the root of the chord on the bottom, as well as voicing chords with tone clusters” (198). Bill Evan’s sound was distinct and involved unique technique like chord cluster and block chord. Bill Evans was an important figure that influenced the development of modern jazz, including the progress of modal jazz technique, the re-harmonization by chord voicing and the expressivity of jazz.