JAZZ ARTISTS

Early 20th Century

FIRST…WHAT IS JAZZ?

Three Main Components:• Like any other musical genre, Jazz will always have

these-• Melody• Harmony• Beat/Rhythm

What makes it unique?• Improvisation• Syncopation- "If a part of the measure that is usually

unstressed is accented, the rhythm is considered to be syncopated."

WHAT IS JAZZ?

Syncopation• Jazz musicians don’t syncopate ALL the time (if they

did it would be monotonous). Instead, jazz music involves both syncopated and non-syncopated notes -- just which ones to syncopate is up to the player and, once they get good enough, they do this intuitively (that is, without having to think about it; just like fluctuating your voice when talking so you don’t talk in a monotone). 

• Mack the Knife• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEllHMWkXEU

LOUIS ARMSTRONG

August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971

Singer and Trumpet Player

Moved Jazz from collective improv. to solo performance

What a Wonderful World• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VCwBzGdPM

Basin Street Blues• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRjT4h7F_jw

COUNT BASIE

August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984

Jazz Pianist, Band Leader (Count Basie Orchestra), Composer

Emphasized the Rhythm Section

Things Ain’t What They Used to Be• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfmadpPy3yM

Swingin the Blues• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYLbrZAko7E

BILLIE HOLIDAY

April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959

Jazz Singer

Singing style strongly influenced by jazz instrumentalists

Had a very hard beginning in life

Known for emotional delivery in singing

BILLIE HOLIDAY

Summertime• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAITYPTTh3I

I’ll Be Seeing You• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDlKb2cBAqU

DUKE ELLINGTON

April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974

Pianist, Composer, Band Leader

Take the A Train• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb2w2m1JmCY

It Don’t Mean a Thing• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDQpZT3GhDg

FATS WALLER

May 21, 1904 – December 15, 1943

Jazz Pianist, Composer

Laid the groundwork for modern jazz piano

Ain’t Misbehavin• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSNPpssruFY

Honeysuckle Rose• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5JiD9yxL4U

SARAH VAUGHAN

March 27, 1924 – April 3, 1990

Jazz Singer

Body and Soul• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUCo1kS7SrA

Tenderly• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNi6M_A9AzU

DIZZY GILLESPIE

October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993

Jazz Trumpeter, Composer, Bandleader

Considered one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time

Salt Peanuts• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOmA8LOw258

A Night in Tunisia• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpE7Uilf-kc