8-22-2023 7:13pm

And All That Jazz

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - AND ALL THAT JAZZ

I love jazz. I am a jazz singer and have performed in many bands over the years. It's one of the greatest things I've ever done. Jazz is not just a music genre, it's a lifestyle.

Jazz is an American art form. This musical genre originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with its roots in blues and ragtime. Jelly Roll Morton claimed to have invented what we call "jazz" in 1902 and did much to popularize the New Orleans sound through newly available recording technologies. Since the 1920's Jazz Age, jazz has been recognized as a major form of musical expression in traditional and popular music. Thank God for jazz.

The first recordings of jazz came in 1917 in New York City from a New Orleans band, "The Original Dixieland Jass Band," whose popularity in their time, both in New York City and in London, England, would have rivaled that of the Beatles some 50 years later. Imagine. Dixieland, often known as New Orleans jazz or marching jazz, is characterized by lively brass, energetic rhythms, and catchy compositions like "When the Saints Go Marching In." Additionally, in Dixieland music, a single instrument plays the melody of the song while the rest of the band improvises around it. As a result, the music is vibrant and enjoyable, with a distinct sound. Dixieland is still popular throughout the South today. You can see any number of Dixieland bands marching on the streets of New Orleans on any given day. It's part of the fabric of the culture.

Here's a breakdown of some other forms of this incredible American music we call Jazz.

Swing music is one of the different types of jazz that became popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Furthermore, “Big bands” with a variety of players in sections such as rhythm (piano, percussion, guitar, bass), brass (trumpets and trombones), woodwind (clarinet and saxophones), and vocals were usually used to perform swing music. Additionally, swing music was characterized by odd beats. Because of the band’s size, several of the charts had a loud, energetic sound. Swing was popular when most baby-boomer's parents were coming of age.

Bebop was influenced by swing, although its sound was apart from it. It was fun to play and listen to since it was loud, rapid, and exhilarating. Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and Charlie Parker were regarded as youthful Turks in the early 1940s when the genre was born. This paved the path for musicians such as Miles Davis and Art Blakely. Bebop was seen as a specialized genre intended to gratify a jazz artist. Initially, these fast tempos, complicated compositions, and tremendous instrumentalisations all contributed to the public’s lack of approval especially when the swing style was much more easily digested by the masses. Eventually, Bebop would become extremely popular, and it has stood the test of time.

Hard Bop emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, characterized by dark, soulful pitches, blues-like lyrics, gospel-like chord progressions, and focused drumming. It is a sophisticated and varied musical genre. It's not for the faint of heart.

Afro-Cuban jazz and Afro-Brazilian jazz are two Latin-style jazz styles that grew prominent in the 1960s and 1970s. Furthermore, Latin rhythms on instruments like the timbales or claves, as well as bossa nova or samba bass lines, were included in these styles. These beats have a lot of syncopation and are influenced by Latin and African rhythms. Unlike other styles of jazz, Latin jazz uses straight eighth notes, in which musicians play each note of an eighth note pair for the same amount of time. Tito Puente made this form of jazz extremely popular. He wrote the song made famous by Santana, Oy Ye Como Va.

Fusion is a musical genre that combines jazz, rock, soul, and funk. It was the most popular style from 1968 to 1984, and it possessed energy unlike any other. Fusion was a creative and financially successful jazz form, but because of the crossover with other styles, it did not sit well with many jazz purists. Nonetheless, fusion remains a staple of jazz. Weather Report is one of the most famous fusion bands. I saw them at The Beacon Theatre in New York City on a stormy night many years ago with my brother, Gene. It was electric. The band featured many prominent jazz artists who went on to have successful solo careers including bassist, Jaco Pastorius, and saxophonist, Wayne Shorter. These cats are legends in the fusion scene. They have passed on, but their legacy lives on.

Jazz Funk is one of the different types of jazz from the early 1970s. Electronic elements and a strong, grooving beat characterize jazz funk. In the 1970s and 1980s, this music became increasingly popular. Additionally, funk music is very danceable due to its rhythm and pace, making it a popular dance club staple. You got the funk?

Modal jazz, which was pioneered by Miles Davis and John Coltrane, included extensive mode modulation and few chord changes. However, it stretched the boundaries of jazz, especially bebop. Modal jazz centered on one tonal center to create a more melodic song, as opposed to fast chord progressions and complex instrumentation. Miles and Coltrane remain iconic.

Then there's Free Jazz. The origins of this form can be traced back to the early 1960s in New York. Additionally, at a time when jazz was in desperate need of a breath of fresh air. Free jazz, as the name implies, broke all of jazz’s previous restrictions. Musicians were not constrained by any rules, and they could do whatever they wanted. There were no standard structures, tempos, tones, or chord changes in the genre. Many songs used world and ethnic music, and there was a lot of modulation and improvisation. Let Freedom ring!

Acid jazz, which is one of the different types of Jazz, arose from the London club scene in the mid-1980s. Its musicians usually sampled conventional jazz compositions and combined them with a grooving electronic beat. So many great artists carved out careers during this time. Some of my favorite acid jazz artists are Jamiroquai, The Brand New Heavies, and Incognito. What a cool vibe.

Let's not forget Gypsy Jazz. Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli, members of the Hot Club Quintet, made Gypsy Jazz popular in Paris in the 1930s. However, its name comes from the fact that it was mostly performed by Romani people at the time. Additionally, Guitars, violins, and a stand-up bass were the most common instruments used in Gypsy Jazz. Guitarists adopted the La Pompe technique, which removed the need for drums. It’s only a matter of plucking the backbeats hard enough to make a thud. This is some good stuff to listen to.

Ah, Smooth Jazz is one of the different types of jazz that became popular in the 1980s and beyond. Additionally, smooth jazz is sometimes known as adult contemporary music. It is characterized by softer tempos and melodic instrumental or vocal solos. The majority of smooth jazz compositions are slow enough to be classified as ballads. Saxophones and vocals are two of the most prominent solo instruments in the genre, which was so popular in the 1990s and early 2000s that many radio stations broadcasted a smooth jazz station exclusively. CD101.9 was the premiere smooth jazz radio station in New York City. It seemed like everyone was listening to it. It was more of a lifestyle with concerts all over the city, live events, and star DJ's. A lot of them were musicians themselves. I especially loved going the The World Trade Center after work. CD101.9 put on some great Happy Hour concerts. This was the place to be during the weekdays.

So, I've broken down some of the best jazz genres there are. This is such a diverse, rich music that is sometimes hard to characterize. That's the beauty of it. It's free form and melodies can create an environment of loveliness in your life. So, pick one genre and take a listen. I think you'll discover something new and inspiring about this form of music. The best part is, it's made in America.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and beyond, jazz music can add color and pizzazz to our lives.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - JAZZ FESTIVAL FOR THE AGES ON LONG ISLAND

There's a great jazz festival coming to Long Island this Labor Day weekend. Check it out at A JAZZ FESTIVAL FOR THE AGES To Takes Place In Wantagh This Labor Day Weekend (broadwayworld.com) I hope to run into you.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Hey! It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. Do wah, do wah, do wah, do wah, do wah.

- Thomas Berger

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Who are some of your favorite jazz artists?

Please put your answer in the Reply section below. I'd love to hear from you.

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SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - IT DON'T MEAN A THING IF IT AIN'T GOT THAT SWING by DUKE ELLINGTON

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