New Orleans Possibly the Birth place of Jazz

New Orleans Possibly the Birth place of Jazz but… • We must keep in mind that slaves were first brought to the America’s in 1619 to Virginia were African & European musical traditions most likely first mixed • Also the first recorded instrumental Jazz was produced in New York around 1917. • Pinning down Jazz music’s exact time & place of birth is somewhat of an Historical mystery • New Orleans is certainly a good place to look at

New Orleans The term DIXELAND JAZZ… • Early New Orleans bands did not refer to themselves as “Dixieland” jazz bands. • One popular group “The Original Dixieland Band” helped popularize the name. • The term was later used to distinguish between white bands and Creole bands. • It wasn’t until the music and musicians had reached out of New Orleans to Chicago and New York that the term reached back to describe all on early New Orleans bands.

New Orleans Various styles in “Early New Orleans” bands come from… • Parades • Funerals • Dancing • *Youtube examples

New Orleans “Early New Orleans” bands • Tolerant of all races - music of Africa and Europe merge • Music in African American clubs was “rough” • Music played for white dances had a “sweeter” style • Melody was fixed - everything else was improvised

Storyville • Section of New Orleans were Alderman Sidney Story confined the red-light district to a 38 block section adjoining Canal Street • Lots of night life and clubs • Larger clubs would employ small ensembles and most employed at least a piano player • Street bands were very active in the main parades and street parties • District was shut down in 1917 by the Navy, but played an important role in the development of New Orleans Jazz up until then.

Early New Orleans Bands (Instrumentation) Frontline player • Cornet (type of trumpet) – loudest instrument played melody – could decorate but not change • Clarinet (duel role) – 1. played harmonic counter-melody above the pitch of the trumpet 2. created momentum with faster lines than the other instruments could play • Trombone - played bass note lines to help fill out chords of the two other melodic instruments

Early New Orleans Bands (Instrumentation) Rhythm section (2 nd Line) • Banjo • Tuba • Drums • All played straight rhythm parts as they would in a standard Marching Band • Parts were improvised • Early bands played a straight 4 feel that would later change to a ragged 2 feel when Ragtime and Dixieland merge

• Early New Orleans Bands • No piano in early Dixieland • Later the piano is added to some groups when. . • merge with Ragtime • & music is played more in clubs than on the street • Polyphonic music • *YOUTUBE BAND EXAMPLES Dixieland form ( A B B’ B’’ ect. . A ) • (A) Ensemble chorus - all played melody • (B) Solo choruses – improvised solos • (A) Return ensemble chorus - all played melody

Charles “Buddy” Bolden • • Led one of the earliest New Orleans marching bands Played the Cornet 1 st Trumpet player to be called “King” Was 18 when Congo Square stopped have Sunday music & dancing Credited with establishing the instrumentation of Dixieland Jazz He mostly used the same instruments from his marching bands He completely quit playing in 1907 Unfortunately there are no records at all of Bolden’s playing • *YOUTUBE BIO VIDEO

Joe “King” Oliver 1885 -1938 • Last trumpeter called “King” • Successive Trumpeters since Bolden had been called “King” of New Orleans Trumpets • Band leader - King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band • His style is exemplifies WWI (1914 -1918) era Jazz • However, he did not record much before 1920

Joe “King” Oliver 1885 -1938 • Early New Orleans groups relied on ensemble more than individual solos • Oliver was one of the exceptions as his solos are still today considered essential to his groups music • “Dippermouth Blues” is a song that most modern trumpeters play the exact solo by Oliver even he was improvising • LISTENING JOURNAL Dippermouth Blues (track 11) • Becomes a Mentor & Teacher of Louis Armstrong • YOUTUBE – VIDEO King Oliver’s influence

Sidney Bechet (1897 -1959) • • • Child prodigy (highly talented child, extraordinary) Being playing professional at age 6 Heavy, rich vibrato style First Famous Jazz player of the Soprano Sax Played with King Oliver in New Orleans plus his own bands • Eventually moves to to Chicago & New York • Tours extensively to Europe • Lives between New York & Paris for a time • LISTENING JOURNAL *New Orleans Foot Warmers - “Maple Leaf Rag *YOUTUBE BIO VIDEO & (DVD our language 38: 00 -46: 45 )

Louis Armstrong 1901 -1971 • Considered one, if not THE Greatest Jazz musician of all time • Still remembered as one, if not THE greatest influence on modern Jazz musicians • Took up trumpet in reform school • Studied with “King” Oliver and was Oliver’s protégé

Louis Armstrong 1901 -1971 • Oliver has great affection for him • When Oliver leaves New Orleans he leaves Armstrong his chair in a popular band he is in. • Oliver sends for him to come to Chicago in 1922. • Goes on the lead his own groups & has one of the most successful and long lasting careers in Jazz

Louis Armstrong 1901 -1971 • Had great tone, stamina and big range on the Trumpet • Also a Great Jazz Singer • Showman and Comedian • Believed in presenting music to the public was just as important as creating it. • LISTENING JOURNAL “WEST END BLUES” L Armstrong & His Hot Five *YOUTUBE - “Mack the Knife”, “Wonderful World” *YOUTUBE – BIO VIDEOS

Out of New Orleans • Jazz moved to Chicago in 1916 • Moved to New York in 1917 • First “Jazz” recording in 1917 by • “The Original Dixieland Jazz Band” in NEW YORK – All white musicians – Copied the “black bands” – *YOUTUBE Example

Chicago Style JAZZ (the roaring 1920 s) • Chicago was prosperous • Many job opportunities • Close to Detroit, model T’s and model A Fords • Prohibition (1920 -1933) • Gangsters ruled Chicago • Like the Storyville, Chicago provided musicians with many night clubs to play • Recording studios mostly in Chicago and New York

Chicago Style JAZZ (the roaring 1920 s) How Chicago style differed from New Orleans style • Still used cornet (trumpet), trombone and clarinet • Added piano • Replaced tuba with string bass • Added saxophone • Guitar replaced banjo • Accent on beats 2 & 4 rather than 1 & 3

Bix Beiderbecke (1903 -1931) • From Iowa, moved to Chicago • Was influenced by King Oliver &Armstrong • Played with top paying Orchestras in town including the very popular Paul Whiteman Orchestra • Some of his best recordings were with small groups • *YOUTUBE Bix small combo & Paul Whiteman (Showboat)

Bix Beiderbecke (1903 -1931) • Became the Best known “white” trumpet player in Chicago • His approach was more laidback than most Chicago trumpeters • Considered the first “COOL” Jazz player. • Died early due to depression & alcoholism • Listening Journal • “Singing the Blues” Frank Trumbauer & His Orchestra featuring Bix Beiderbecke • *YOUTUBE Bix bio • DVD - Our Language 25: 30 – 38: 00