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 -


Cedar Walton's MusicCole Porter's MusicBarga JazzOliver Nelson's MusicBrad Mehldau TrioCedar Walton Leader AlbumGrant Green Leader AlbumMilt Jackson QuartetThe Charles Mingus Quintet & Max RoachHoagy Carmichael's MusicOrnette Coleman's MusicAhmad Jamal's MusicColtrane ChangesDave Holland SextetChick Corea's MusicCharles Mingus Leader AlbumSam Rivers' MusicDave Holland QuintetChet Baker PlaysJuan Tizol's MusicThe Duke Ellington OrchestraRadiohead's MusicMal Waldron's MusicJohn Coltrane with Tadd DameronVictor Feldman's MusicSonny Rollins Quartet with John ColtraneToots Thielemans's MusicCharlie Parker's MusicWynton Kelly TrioKenny Dorham's MusicLee Kontiz Leader AlbumNewportTommy Flanagan TrioDexter Gordon Leader AlbumUmbria JazzMiles Davis All-Star SextetStan Getz & João GilbertoTommy Flanagan with Red MitchellGeorge Shearing's MusicKaper - Washington's MusicDave Holland Big BandSchwartz - Dietz's MusicMiles Davis Leader AlbumRay Brown Trio with Ulf WakeniusMajor Holley QuintetBenny Goodman SextetSonny Rollins TrioThe Don Byas - Slam Stewart DuoMilt Jackson's MusicJohn Lewis' MusicHerbie Hancock QuartetThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Ralph MooreRudy Van GelderPaul Chambers QuintetJohn Coltrane QuartetRon Carter TrioSonny Rollins in EuropeBen Webster with Harry Sweets EdisonErnie Watts Leader AlbumFrank Sinatra SingsChet Baker SingsThelonious Monk Leader AlbumThe London House SessionsJohnny Griffin Leader AlbumLennon - McCartney's MusicOscar Peterson Leader AlbumBill Evans' MusicCharles Mingus TrioVillage VanguardTony Williams' MusicJoe Henderson Leader AlbumWarren Wolf with Christian McBrideOscar Pettiford's MusicKenny Burrell with Jimmy RaneyHank Mobley's MusicMilt Jackson Leader AlbumElla Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong with Oscar Peterson QuartetKenny Dorham QuartetWarne Marsh Leader AlbumBill Evans with Eddie GomezJazz ContrafactOscar Pettiford Leader AlbumPat Metheny with Larry GrenadierThelonious Monk QuartetFreddie Hubbard Leader AlbumIrving Berlin's MusicDon Byas QuartetWilbur Ware QuintetBenny Goodman And His OrchestraRodgers - Hart's MusicThe Horace Silver QuintetMarsalis - Lee's MusicCannonball Adderley Leader AlbumShorty Rogers and his giantsThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Ben WebsterWes Montgomery Leader AlbumEllington - Gershwin's MusicJimmy McHugh's MusicJay Jay Johnson Leader AlbumVernon Duke's MusicColeman Hawkins Swing FourGerry Mulligan QuartetPat Metheny with Charlie HadenWynton Kelly's MusicA.C. Jobim's MusicArt Blakey & The Jazz MessengersRed Garland Trio with John ColtraneNina Simone at the PianoRichard Rodgers' MusicHank Jones with Charlie HadenDizzy Gillespie SextetLee Morgan Leader AlbumSonny Clark's MusicCannonball Adderley QuintetThe Blanton–Webster BandThe Count Basie OrchestraDuke Ellington's MusicMcCoy Tyner TrioErroll Garner at the PianoBud Powell TrioGerry Mulligan with Thelonious MonkTadd Dameron Leader AlbumJ. R. Monterose Leader AlbumBill Stewart Leader AlbumBob Dylan's MusicCharles Mingus' MusicCharlie Parker's ReboppersJim Hall with Ron CarterDiana Krall Leader AlbumJerome Kern's MusicBill Evans Leader AlbumThe Ron Carter NonetDexter Gordon QuartetItalian Jazz MusiciansKeith Jarrett TrioWynton Kelly Leader AlbumRay Brown with Pierre BoussaguetChicago JazzKenny Wheeler Leader AlbumPaul Chambers QuartetHerbie Hancock Leader AlbumSam Jones' MusicPat Moran TrioPaul Chambers' MusicSonny Rollins Leader AlbumJimmy Van Heusen's MusicHank Mobley Leader AlbumStan Getz and The Oscar Peterson TrioSteve Swallow's MusicOrnette Coleman Leader AlbumPorgy and BessMiles Davis' First Great Quintet with Cannonball AdderleyJohn Coltrane Leader AlbumKenny Barron with Charlie HadenEsbjörn Svensson TrioBlue Mitchell QuartetJoe Henderson's MusicCharlie Haden's MusicCedar Walton at the PianoBill Mobley Leader AlbumHammerstein - Kern's MusicJohn Coltrane Quartet with Johnny HartmanHampton Hawes' MusicHerbie Hancock's MusicHouston Person with Ron CarterHank Jones with Christian McBrideJoshua Redman Leader AlbumWes Montgomery's MusicThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Louis ArmstrongDave Brubeck's MusicGerry Mulligan's MusicRed Garland's MusicMonk in TokyoMiles Davis SextetThe Modern Jazz QuartetCannonball Adderley's MusicMcCoy Tyner at the PianoRodgers - Hammerstein's MusicJoe Pass with NHØ PedersenEnrico Pieranunzi at the PianoNina Simone Leader AlbumAhmad Jamal TrioMiles Davis Quintet with John ColtraneMichel Legrand's MusicTeo Macero's ProductionThe Poll WinnersRay Noble's MusicLou Donaldson Leader AlbumQuincy Jones' ArrangementBill Evans Trio with Stan GetzBobby Timmons' MusicChet Baker in ItalyMiles Davis QuartetGil Evans' arrangementMonk in ParisKeith Jarrett Acoustic DuoThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Clark TerryKenny Burrell Leader AlbumJimmy Heath's MusicDave Holland's MusicWayne Shorter's MusicHorace Parlan Leader AlbumKeith Jarrett with Charlie HadenStan Getz Leader AlbumJohnny Hartman Leader AlbumClifford Brown and Max RoachLee Morgan's MusicCal Tjader SextetMiles Davis QuintetThelonious Monk TrioNancy Wilson's VoiceChick Corea Leader AlbumOscar Peterson's MusicClifford Brown's MusicHorace Silver's MusicRon Carter's MusicJoe Henderson TrioRay Brown Leader AlbumRed Garland Trio with Art PepperMel Lewis SextetChristian McBride TrioVictor Feldman TrioMiles Davis' MusicLucky Thompson Leader AlbumBill Evans TrioThad Jones' MusicKenny Barron at the PianoJazz with String OrchestraTraditional Irish MelodyBarry Harris TrioGershwin's MusicBud Powell's MusicHenry Mancini's MusicBobby Timmons Leader AlbumHorace Silver and the Jazz MessengersSonny Stitt Leader AlbumCharlie Parker Leader AlbumThe Oscar Peterson TrioSonny Clark Leader AlbumButch Warren's MusicBobby Timmons TrioKind of BlueSonny Rollins' MusicBooker Little Leader AlbumKenny Barron Leader AlbumKenny Barron with Dave HollandHank Jones at the PianoFats Waller's MusicWayne Shorte Leader AlbumMiles Davis' Second Great QuintetBurt Bacharach's MusicBill Evans QuintetRay Brown's MusicVictor Young's MusicHank Jones Leader AlbumPat Metheny's MusicDuke Ellington at the PianoRay Brown Trio with Ralph MooreDexter Gordon's MusicOliver Nelson Leader AlbumMilt Jackson and Wes MontgomeryRay Brown TrioHank Jones' MusicThe Dave Brubeck QuartetTom Jobim at the PianoDado Moroni with Tom HarrellSwedish JazzBrad Mehldau's MusicJackie McLean's MusicCharlie Haden's Quartet WestPaul Chambers SextetMiles Davis' First Great QuintetPaul Chambers Leader AlbumPat Metheny with Jim HallThe Ornette Coleman QuartetDizzy Gillespie's MusicRed Garland TrioSam Jones Leader AlbumMingus Big BandPat Metheny Acoustic DuoSonny Clark TrioThelonious Monk's MusicBennie Moten's MusicTadd Dameron's MusicTadd Dameron SextetKenny Wheeler's MusicGrant Green's MusicLiberation Music OrchestraJohn Coltrane's MusicPat Metheny Leader AlbumBirth of the CoolBenny Golson's MusicKenny Burrel's MusicBilly Strayhorn's MusicChet Baker Sings and PlaysGerry Mulligan with Johnny HodgesJoe Henderson QuartetHampton Hawes Leader AlbumRoy Haynes Leader AlbumTwo Double BassesJackie McLean Leader AlbumHorace Silver Trio with Art BlakeyCannonball Adderley with the Poll WinnersMcCoy Tyner's MusicLou Donaldson QuintetJohn Coltrane with Thelonious Monk