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 -


Bill Mobley Leader AlbumGerry Mulligan QuartetPat Metheny Acoustic DuoKenny Burrell with Jimmy RaneyHorace Silver Trio with Art BlakeyHerbie Hancock's MusicThelonious Monk TrioBrad Mehldau's MusicIrving Berlin's MusicKenny Burrel's MusicChristian McBride TrioKenny Wheeler's MusicTony Williams' MusicMilt Jackson QuartetWynton Kelly's MusicJoe Henderson's MusicJohnny Griffin Leader AlbumKenny Barron with Dave HollandBenny Golson's MusicSam Jones Leader AlbumWayne Shorter's MusicJoe Henderson QuartetClifford Brown and Max RoachKenny Barron at the PianoVictor Young's MusicThad Jones' MusicHoagy Carmichael's MusicPaul Desmond Leader AlbumThe Duke Ellington OrchestraDave Holland QuintetOrnette Coleman's MusicThe Horace Silver QuintetKaper - Washington's MusicFats Waller's MusicMcCoy Tyner at the PianoJerome Kern's MusicThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Ben WebsterKenny Dorham's MusicSonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz QuartetGerry Mulligan's MusicKenny Wheeler Leader AlbumBirth of the CoolSonny Clark's MusicJohn Coltrane Quartet with Johnny HartmanCharlie Parker's ReboppersWayne Shorte Leader AlbumRudy Van GelderHank Jones Leader AlbumPaul Chambers' MusicWarren Bernhardt TrioSonny Rollins Leader AlbumGerry Mulligan with Johnny HodgesCedar Walton Leader AlbumChick Corea's MusicColeman Hawkins Swing FourWes Montgomery Leader AlbumTommy Flanagan TrioBurt Bacharach's MusicJoe Henderson TrioPaul Chambers QuartetClifford Brown's MusicJim Hall with Ron CarterEnrico Pieranunzi at the PianoLee Morgan Leader AlbumBenny Goodman And His OrchestraOrnette Coleman Leader AlbumJohn Coltrane with Thelonious MonkHank Mobley Leader AlbumBill Evans with Eddie GomezMal Waldron's MusicJimmy Rowles with Ray BrownPat Metheny with Jim HallThelonious Monk Leader AlbumMiles Davis QuintetCedar Walton at the PianoChick Corea Leader AlbumJoe Pass with NHØ PedersenTadd Dameron's MusicPaul Chambers Leader AlbumMiles Davis SextetOscar Pettiford Leader AlbumJohnny Hartman Leader AlbumOscar Pettiford's MusicVictor Feldman TrioEllington - Gershwin's MusicWynton Kelly Leader AlbumThelonious Monk's MusicJohn Coltrane's MusicJoe Henderson Leader AlbumGrant Green Leader AlbumChet Baker in ItalyKeith Jarrett Acoustic DuoJohn Coltrane with Tadd DameronBennie Moten's MusicThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Ralph MooreRon Carter's MusicCharles Mingus Leader AlbumStan Getz Leader AlbumKeith Jarrett with Charlie HadenEsbjörn Svensson TrioLiberation Music OrchestraBobby Timmons' MusicItalian Jazz MusiciansJohn Coltrane Leader AlbumMiles Davis' First Great Quintet with Cannonball AdderleyThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Clark TerryBobby Timmons TrioChicago JazzLennon - McCartney's MusicNancy Wilson's VoiceNina Simone Leader AlbumSam Rivers' MusicBen Webster with Harry Sweets EdisonCharlie Haden's MusicPaul Chambers QuintetHampton Hawes' MusicOliver Nelson's MusicBill Evans Leader AlbumLee Morgan's MusicSonny Clark Leader AlbumMiles Davis' First Great QuintetDexter Gordon's MusicHerbie Hancock Leader AlbumThe Modern Jazz QuartetDexter Gordon Leader AlbumHampton Hawes Leader AlbumBenny Goodman SextetSonny Rollins' MusicCharlie Haden's Quartet WestBlue Mitchell QuartetThe Don Byas - Slam Stewart DuoSonny Rollins in EuropeMingus Big BandThe Charles Mingus Quintet & Max RoachJackie McLean's MusicCharlie Parker Leader AlbumBill Evans Trio with Stan GetzDave Brubeck's MusicPat Metheny Leader AlbumCedar Walton's MusicSchwartz - Dietz's MusicCharles Mingus TrioErnie Watts Leader AlbumHank Jones at the PianoThe Ron Carter NonetGil Evans' arrangementHouston Person with Ron CarterChet Baker Sings and PlaysBill Evans QuintetSheila Jordan's VoiceGershwin's MusicTraditional Irish MelodySonny Clark TrioVillage VanguardTadd Dameron Leader AlbumThe London House SessionsMel Lewis SextetElla Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong with Oscar Peterson QuartetToots Thielemans's MusicTeo Macero's ProductionLee Kontiz Leader AlbumBrad Mehldau TrioJimmy Heath's MusicHorace Silver's MusicSwedish JazzHammerstein - Kern's MusicVernon Duke's MusicMarsalis - Lee's MusicRay Brown TrioWarren Wolf with Christian McBrideBilly Strayhorn's MusicCannonball Adderley Leader AlbumDave Holland Big BandKeith Jarrett TrioLucky Thompson Leader AlbumSonny Rollins TrioGrant Green's MusicBill Stewart Leader AlbumMiles Davis Leader AlbumCannonball Adderley with the Poll WinnersMilt Jackson Leader AlbumOscar Peterson's MusicThe Ornette Coleman QuartetRichard Rodgers' MusicJohn Coltrane QuartetBud Powell's MusicRon Carter TrioCannonball Adderley QuintetRoy Haynes Leader AlbumMcCoy Tyner's MusicCal Tjader SextetErroll Garner at the PianoAhmad Jamal's MusicAhmad Jamal TrioDizzy Gillespie SextetRay Brown Trio with Ralph MoorePaul Chambers SextetColtrane ChangesGeorge Shearing's MusicRay Brown Leader AlbumWarne Marsh Leader AlbumDiana Krall Leader AlbumHank Mobley's MusicMilt Jackson's MusicBud Powell TrioLou Donaldson QuintetMiles Davis Quintet with John ColtraneTom Jobim at the PianoKenny Burrell Leader AlbumSonny Rollins Quartet with John ColtraneButch Warren's MusicBooker Little Leader AlbumPat Moran TrioHank Jones' MusicRodgers - Hart's MusicBarga JazzThe Blanton–Webster BandVictor Feldman's MusicJay Jay Johnson Leader AlbumThe Oscar Peterson TrioHorace Parlan Leader AlbumFreddie Hubbard Leader AlbumCharlie Parker's MusicJohn Lewis' MusicDuke Ellington at the PianoKenny Dorham QuartetRed Garland's MusicA.C. Jobim's MusicSonny Stitt Leader AlbumMonk in TokyoLou Donaldson Leader AlbumKind of BlueMiles Davis' Second Great QuintetQuincy Jones' ArrangementShorty Rogers and his giantsFrank Loesser's MusicPat Metheny with Larry GrenadierBarry Harris TrioRadiohead's MusicStan Getz & João GilbertoJ. R. Monterose Leader AlbumJackie McLean Leader AlbumChet Baker PlaysMiles Davis' MusicPat Metheny's MusicMichel Legrand's MusicFrank Sinatra SingsChet Baker SingsDexter Gordon QuartetArt Blakey & The Jazz MessengersRed Garland Trio with Art PepperNewportRay Noble's MusicJazz with String OrchestraDave Holland SextetDon Byas QuartetSam Jones' MusicTadd Dameron SextetBob Dylan's MusicCole Porter's MusicPat Metheny with Charlie HadenThe Oscar Peterson Trio with Louis ArmstrongMiles Davis QuartetWynton Kelly TrioJimmy Van Heusen's MusicTommy Flanagan with Red MitchellOscar Peterson Leader AlbumOliver Nelson Leader AlbumDuke Ellington's MusicMcCoy Tyner TrioHank Jones with Christian McBrideKenny Barron with Charlie HadenMajor Holley QuintetMilt Jackson and Wes MontgomeryJuan Tizol's MusicNina Simone at the PianoRay Brown's MusicRay Brown Trio with Ulf WakeniusMonk in ParisHerbie Hancock QuartetRodgers - Hammerstein's MusicThe Count Basie OrchestraPorgy and BessGeorges Arvanitas TrioUmbria JazzStan Getz and The Oscar Peterson TrioJazz ContrafactKenny Barron Leader AlbumHorace Silver and the Jazz MessengersSteve Swallow's MusicBobby Timmons Leader AlbumJimmy McHugh's MusicJoshua Redman Leader AlbumRed Garland TrioBill Evans TrioTwo Double BassesThe Poll WinnersWes Montgomery's MusicThe Dave Brubeck QuartetCannonball Adderley's MusicDado Moroni with Tom HarrellBill Evans' MusicHank Jones with Charlie HadenMiles Davis All-Star SextetHenry Mancini's MusicThelonious Monk QuartetDave Holland's MusicRed Garland Trio with John ColtraneGerry Mulligan with Thelonious MonkDizzy Gillespie's MusicCharles Mingus' MusicWilbur Ware QuintetRay Brown with Pierre Boussaguet