Jazz and Country

Jazz

• Lots of ex-slaves eventually settled in New Orleans, and played in the bars and clubs of the city. Usually they were in groups of six. The front 3 melody instruments were trumpet, trombone and clarinet. This was backed up by a rhythm section of drums, bass and banjo / piano. The kind of Jazz played here became known as trad. Jazz or Dixieland Jazz. Jazz borrows elements of Blues and ragtime, but the key element that identifies all jazz is ‘improvisation’.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH8kH-EH3-I (Original Dixieland jazz band – Jazz me blues)

Big band / swing

• During the 1930s small jazz groups gave way to larger commercial dance bands. These bands would have different sections such as brass, reed and rhythm, with different instruments taking a solo at different times.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR3K5uB-wMA• Glen Miller – In the mood

Be-bop / cool jazz

• After World War II, Jazz fractured and became more ‘artistically aware’ rather than just pure entertainment. This style of Jazz is known as Be-bop, and is highly complex rhythmically and melodically. One key exponent of this style was DIZZY GILLESPIE.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkvCDCOGzGc Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie

Country music • Whilst Jazz and blues was solely played and

developed by black musicians, Country music was the white mans folk music. It is based on the Scottish and Irish folk songs brought over by the first white settlers.

• Country songs tend to use simple chord progressions and tell stories of Love, railroads, truckers, heartbreak and religion.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwBirf4BWew&feature=PlayList&p=A198D278413D71BA&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=12

• Tammy Wynette – Stand by your man

Bluegrass

• Bluegrass or Hillbilly is the folk music of poor white people in Virginia, Carolina, Kentucky and Arkansas. Its main instrument is the banjo with guitar, fiddles, mandolin and string bass.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNBDIieTkxgKarl Shiflett "Salty Dog Blues"