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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Ron Carter TrioUmbria JazzThelonious Monk Leader AlbumRudy Van GelderLouis Armstrong & His All-StarsCharlie Haden's Quartet WestMcCoy Tyner's MusicRed Garland's MusicBud Powell TrioKeith Jarrett Acoustic DuoDizzy Gillespie's MusicSonny Rollins Leader AlbumRay Brown TrioMiles Davis' Second Great QuintetDuke Ellington's MusicRay Brown Leader AlbumDave Holland SextetHorace Silver Trio with Art BlakeyTommy Flanagan TrioMiles Davis' First Great QuintetCal Tjader SextetThe Ron Carter NonetJoe Henderson TrioJazz with String OrchestraToots Thielemans's MusicThe Ornette Coleman QuartetFats Waller's MusicThelonious Monk QuartetBobby Timmons Leader AlbumLou Donaldson QuintetRay Brown's MusicThelonious Monk TrioCannonball Adderley with the Poll WinnersThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Louis ArmstrongSonny Stitt Leader AlbumMilt Jackson and The Oscar Peterson TrioSonny Clark's MusicWayne Shorter's MusicWarren Bernhardt TrioFreddie Hubbard's MusicThe Great Jazz TrioJerome Kern's MusicTony Williams' MusicJackie McLean Leader AlbumThe Dave Brubeck QuartetNewportDexter Gordon QuartetSonny Rollins' MusicDave Holland's MusicVictor Young's MusicVillage VanguardChick Corea's MusicKeith Jarrett TrioRay Brown Trio with Ulf WakeniusSam Jones' MusicThe Jim Hall QuartetButch Warren's MusicBobby Timmons' MusicHerbie Hancock QuartetDave Brubeck's MusicDizzy Gillespie Big BandDave Holland QuintetJimmy Heath's MusicJ. R. Monterose Leader AlbumBill Mobley Leader AlbumRed Garland TrioGeorge Shearing's MusicSonny Rollins TrioEnrico Pieranunzi at the PianoMcCoy Tyner TrioTwo Double BassesCharlie Parker's ReboppersDonald Byrd's MusicJohn Coltrane with Thelonious MonkPat Metheny with Jim HallCharlie Parker's MusicRay Brown with Pierre BoussaguetBill Evans with Eddie GomezTadd Dameron SextetThe Oscar Peterson TrioChick Corea Leader AlbumKeith Jarrett European QuartetHorace Silver and the Jazz MessengersDizzy Gillespie SextetKaper - Washington's MusicBill Evans' MusicHammerstein - Kern's MusicHerbie Hancock Leader AlbumRay Noble's MusicBen Webster with Harry Sweets EdisonThe London House SessionsDado Moroni with Tom HarrellSam Jones Leader AlbumJoe Henderson Leader AlbumJohn Scofield Leader AlbumSonny Clark Leader AlbumBill Evans Trio with Stan GetzBlue Mitchell Leader AlbumEsperanza Spalding Leader AlbumCannonball Adderley Leader AlbumChet Baker in ItalyMichel Legrand's MusicTadd Dameron's MusicSonny Clark TrioJohn Coltrane Quartet with Johnny HartmanThe Don Byas - Slam Stewart DuoThelonious Monk's MusicMonk in ParisJimmy Van Heusen's MusicThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Ralph MooreSonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz QuartetPaul Chambers QuartetVictor Feldman's MusicJohn Coltrane Leader AlbumMarsalis - Lee's MusicCharles Mingus' MusicCharlie Haden's MusicSonny Rollins in EuropeGershwin's MusicMiles Davis QuartetNancy Wilson's VoicePorgy and BessIrving Berlin's MusicHoagy Carmichael's MusicRichard Rodgers' MusicSonny Rollins Quartet with John ColtraneJohn Lewis' MusicCarla Bley's MusicMajor Holley QuintetThe Poll WinnersDuke Ellington at the PianoMiles Davis' First Great Quintet with Cannonball AdderleyJoe Henderson's MusicBrad Mehldau's MusicWynton Kelly TrioAhmad Jamal TrioLee Morgan Leader AlbumHerbie Hancock's MusicBill Evans Leader AlbumBenny Golson's MusicElla Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong with Oscar Peterson QuartetGerry Mulligan QuartetHouston Person with Ron CarterPaul Chambers' MusicKenny Wheeler Leader AlbumJoshua Redman Leader AlbumMilt Jackson QuartetJazz ContrafactMcCoy Tyner at the PianoMilt Jackson and Wes MontgomeryBennie Moten's MusicColeman Hawkins Swing FourJohnny Griffin Leader AlbumMilt Jackson's MusicBarry Harris TrioJohn Scofield's MusicMiles Davis SextetStan Getz and The Oscar Peterson TrioBenny Goodman SextetCedar Walton's MusicRay Brown Trio with Ralph MooreCedar Walton at the PianoChristian McBride TrioJimmy McHugh's MusicStan Getz Leader AlbumOrnette Coleman Leader AlbumRed Garland Trio with Art PepperClifford Brown SextetBill Stewart Leader AlbumJay Jay Johnson Leader AlbumCharles Mingus Leader AlbumFrank Sinatra SingsCedar Walton Leader AlbumBud Powell's MusicOscar Pettiford's MusicJohn Coltrane QuartetHank Jones with Charlie HadenStan Getz & João GilbertoThe Blanton–Webster BandMichel Petrucciani's MusicJimmy Rowles with Ray BrownClifford Brown's MusicOscar Peterson's MusicBob Dylan's MusicMichel Petrucciani Leader AlbumWynton Kelly's MusicBill Evans QuintetWarren Wolf with Christian McBrideLucky Thompson Leader AlbumDexter Gordon's MusicSwedish JazzHorace Silver's MusicCharlie Parker Leader AlbumEric Dolphy Leader AlbumChet Baker SingsCharles McPherson Leader AlbumGrant Green's MusicMel Lewis SextetJackie McLean's MusicTeo Macero's ProductionThe Modern Jazz QuartetGerry Mulligan with Johnny HodgesGerry Mulligan's MusicPaul Desmond Leader AlbumHank Mobley Leader AlbumThe Horace Silver QuintetLiberation Music OrchestraSchwartz - Dietz's MusicBenny Goodman And His OrchestraOscar Pettiford Leader AlbumTadd Dameron Leader AlbumBlue Mitchell QuartetCharles Mingus TrioBarga JazzWes Montgomery's MusicTom Jobim at the PianoDiana Krall Leader AlbumTeddy Wilson Leader AlbumJunior Mance TrioWayne Shorte Leader AlbumLou Donaldson Leader AlbumJaco Pastorius Big BandSteve Swallow's MusicHank Jones at the PianoPat Metheny with Larry GrenadierMal Waldron's MusicMontgomery BrothersChet Baker PlaysCole Porter's MusicWynton Kelly Leader AlbumBrad Mehldau TrioLennon - McCartney's MusicDonald Byrd Leader AlbumClifford Brown and Max RoachPat Metheny's MusicChicago JazzErroll Garner at the PianoKenny Burrell Leader AlbumTraditional Irish MelodyItalian Jazz MusiciansNina Simone Leader AlbumMingus Big BandMcCoy Tyner Leader AlbumHank Jones' MusicKenny Barron Leader AlbumOliver Nelson's MusicEsperanza Spalding's MusicMonk in TokyoOliver Nelson Leader AlbumQuincy Jones' ArrangementHampton Hawes' MusicMilt Jackson Leader AlbumGrant Green Leader AlbumSheila Jordan's VoiceBooker Little Leader AlbumFrank Loesser's MusicCannonball Adderley QuintetJohnny Hartman Leader AlbumVernon Duke's MusicRed Garland Trio with John ColtraneJuan Tizol's MusicChick Corea Elektric BandCannonball Adderley's MusicBilly Strayhorn's MusicPat Metheny GroupWilbur Ware QuintetKenny Dorham QuartetArt Blakey & The Jazz MessengersMiles Davis' MusicPaul Chambers QuintetPat Metheny Acoustic DuoDexter Gordon Leader AlbumAhmad Jamal's MusicThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Ben WebsterRoy Haynes Leader AlbumRodgers - Hart's MusicBill Evans TrioSam Rivers' MusicPat Metheny Leader AlbumErnie Watts Leader AlbumThe Duke Ellington OrchestraBurt Bacharach's MusicTommy Flanagan with Red MitchellPat Metheny with Charlie HadenMiles Davis QuintetVictor Feldman TrioEric Dolphy's MusicHank Mobley's MusicGerry Mulligan with Thelonious MonkMiles Davis Quintet with John ColtraneKenny Barron with Charlie HadenKeith Jarrett with Charlie HadenPaul Chambers SextetThe Charles Mingus Quintet & Max RoachJim Hall with Ron CarterWarne Marsh Leader AlbumKenny Wheeler's MusicQuincy Jones and his OrchestraNina Simone at the PianoBobby Timmons TrioKenny Dorham's MusicHorace Parlan Leader AlbumJoe Henderson QuartetRadiohead's MusicChet Baker Sings and PlaysGil Evans' arrangementJoe Pass with NHØ PedersenHank Jones Leader AlbumJohn Coltrane's MusicKenny Barron at the PianoHank Jones with Christian McBrideHampton Hawes Leader AlbumCarla Bley Leader AlbumGeorges Arvanitas TrioThe Count Basie OrchestraOscar Peterson Leader AlbumLee Morgan's MusicJohn Coltrane with Tadd DameronKind of BlueEllington - Gershwin's MusicDave Holland Big BandDon Byas QuartetBirth of the CoolMiles Davis All-Star SextetColtrane ChangesShorty Rogers and his giantsKeith Jarrett's MusicRon Carter's MusicEsbjörn Svensson TrioWes Montgomery Leader AlbumA.C. Jobim's MusicThad Jones' MusicPat Moran TrioHenry Mancini's MusicKenny Barron with Dave HollandKenny Burrel's MusicAllan Holdsworth Leader AlbumFreddie Hubbard Leader AlbumPaul Chambers Leader AlbumRodgers - Hammerstein's MusicThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Clark TerryOrnette Coleman's MusicKenny Burrell with Jimmy RaneyLee Kontiz Leader AlbumMiles Davis Leader Album