Jazz Blog » Louis Armstrong

Jazz Sheet Music

admin2 — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 01:54:12 +0000

Most jazz lovers or for that matter any music lover can never forget the name Louis Armstrong, or the famous ‘Satchmo.’ One of the most revered kinds of music styles in the world of jazz music is that of ‘Mr. Satchmo.’

Jazz music originated in 1920?s and continues to be popular not just in the United Stated but also in the whole world. Jazz sheet music is basically a blend of old African American music, with a little bit of a classical touch. Jazz music is a very soothing experience to ardent music lovers, not just of jazz, but also of classical music.

Music scores contain all kinds of styles and rock and roll music sequences. African Americans developed jazz music in the beginning of the 20th century in the United States in New Orleans. It was because of stars like Louis Armstrong that Jazz music became so popular and has such a great fan following in the world today.

Jazz sheet is no ordinary sheet music like other classical music sheets. This music sheet has many kinds of accidentals, rests and prolonged chords and so on. Jazz music sheets are quite complex in nature, as there can be variations for semitone changes for higher or lower pitches. Jazz sheet music is a combination of major, chromatic and diatonic scales. This music can also accommodate accidental bass pitches if any, with vocal parts as well. Jazz sheet music has many parts, and can sometimes produce non-harmony and non-melody music. Thus, a musician is always advised to select the right kind of players, instruments and voice pitches to produce harmony.

Jazz sheet music is indeed quite complex and difficult to read but indeed it is quite interesting and very melodious to play and listen to. Its popularity is at par with country music.

By: Kristy Annely

Popular Jazz Artists and Their Music

admin2 — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:27:17 +0000

Many people consider jazz as the one true original American music. However, just as the country is a hodge-podge of different cultures, its music a mixture of different beats and melodies. In fact, jazz is a combination of African beat and European melodic influences. The combination is so unique only to America, which is why it cannot be considered as something that came from somewhere else. Jazz was first heard in the suburban areas in the south during the late 1800’s, in communities that were largely populated by Afro-Americans.

Because of its origins, the early popular jazz music artists were blacks. The genre was still at its inception stage with ragtime as its earliest form. The usual instruments used to create such music were banjo and piano. The popular artists then were Ernest Hogan and Tim Turpin, who published the Harlem Rag. By the end of the century, jazz developed further with the innovations created by Scott Joplin. Being a pianist trained in the classical music, he created a beautiful fusion of his specialty and ragtime. By the beginning of the 20th century, the blues came into being, with W.C. Handy as one of the most popular artists of such genre.

Big bands usually play jazz music during the early years. However, when swing music, another new jazz form, rose to prominence in the 1930’s, soloists became more popular too. Swing music highlights the skills of the trumpeter. Because of this, the trumpet player usually ends up becoming more famous than the other musicians in the band. During this time, the genre’s icons, such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington grew so popular that any jazz lover should know them and their music.

From the danceable swing music, jazz evolved further in the 1940’s to 1960’s with bebop. Bebop is known as the musician’s music because it gave emphasis on the talents of the instrument players. Every musician in the band was provided with moments to shine, from the piano, the base, to the wind instruments in the band. Among the top trumpeters were Clifford and Dizzy Gillespie. The most popular among the pianists were Thelonius Monk and Bud Powell. Even drummers gained recognition, with Max Roach as one of the more famous ones.

The 70’s saw the development of jazz fusion, a bold attempt to combine the elements of rock and roll with the classic jazz sound. These were the times when the jazz artists, such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Tony Williams became very famous. Not only did they develop a new jazz sound. They also influenced even the rock and roll artists of the time, such Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and the Grateful Dead.

By: Jim Oneil

The Dawn of Marvelous Music – Jazz in the 20’s

admin2 — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:49:01 +0000

Considered as part of history, the dawn of Jazz music started as early as the 1920’s. This is the same decade when the radio was born. Both have invaded our homes and captivated us with a different relaxing rhythm. Here are some factors that led to the revolutionizing music of those times.

The Dawn
As a result of the exploration of musical instruments from Europe, Afro-American musicians derived its own style of music rendition. This was way back the nineteenth century. New Orleans was believed to be the starting point of Jazz Music until it extends its impact to New York, Kansas and Chicago during these times. In the same decade, the music industry sprung paving the way to the spread of the Jazz music influence in most independent recording companies. These companies were also known as Indie records. Both Indie records and Jazz music complemented each other as they helped one another in the stairs of fame. Jazz dance progressed as a result of this partnership. Despite the ghost of racism, Jazz music and dance spread all over the United Nations. The beginning of Jazz music was treated as threat to the society. To refresh your memories, these were the times when the law prohibits women to cast their votes on national elections hence critiques from both sides came out to put down the blooming music genre.

The Performers
It has become unstoppable for Jazz music. Unnoticeably, the number of Jazz artists and fanatics has grown exponentially. Paul Whiteman, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong were few names that became famous during those times. Most artists preferred going on tandem or in band instead of solo flight. It appears that Jazz during these times must consist of combination of more than two voices and rhythm. At this early stage, Jazz instruments like trombone, clarinet and cornet were the most popular.

The Evolution
Long before Jazz was totally accepted by the society, it has evolved in numerous forms. Different states derived the main concept then created their own style. Some of these styles were big band style, Latin Jazz, Acid Jazz, and later on, even hip style of Jazz.

These were the factors that contributed to the age of Jazz. It was even considered as a music that plays from the heart going straight to the soul. Until now, Jazz continues to invade the music industry. Regardless of its form, you can still distinguish the original concept as soon as it is played. Not only that it invaded the industry of music but also, you will notice its influence on our fashion and sense of style. With its impact, it has been considered as the long time played genre of our age. Music instruments have been designed to ensure that it will follow the same style as before. People from different nations have shown its support and admiration to this holistic genre. Who will not be captivated by its rhythm? You can consider it as synonymous to relaxation and lasting harmony.

By: Jim Aldridge

Mishka Adams Jazz Singer and Musician, Space Album

admin — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 08:01:33 +0000

Take a shy little girl who loves music, Joni Mitchell and the Philippines where she was born and has spent most of her childhood. Send her off to a scary Sussex boarding school and what does she do? She takes saxophone lessons, falls in love with jazz and starts setting her own poetry in motion.

Fast forward ten years and we find Mishka Adams, daughter of a Filipina sculptor mother and British writer father, enjoying life in London.

“When my father insisted on sending me to boarding school it was scary, says Mishka. I protested for a long time but appreciate it now. It was very hard, going home just three times a year.

“I started saxophone lessons aged ten and had a lovely teacher who was into jazz and gave me beautiful pieces to play. Music was a comfort and in secondary school I bought my first jazz record, one by Louis Armstrong, got involved in a jazz trio and big bands. I had a little stereo in the dormitory. I loved singing at school and wrote a lot of poetry”.

After A Levels, Mishka went back to the Philippines and started doing small gigs and happy hours.

Then came the chance to be noticed. “I was asked to sing at a Courtney Pine concert and someone from Candid sent a video to Alan Bates, whose wife is from the Phillipines and wanted him to showcase musicians from her homeland.

“The rest, as they say, is laro.”

Mishka finished her masters a year ago and, having met “a lot of lovely people, a lot of musicians who are always learning” now wants to enjoy her music and to work with others.

At 24, she also teaches music. “My youngest student is 14 and I remember how shy I used to be and tread gently. What’s the quote “Tread gently, you tread on my dreams?”"

If you want a glimpse of Mishka’s talent listen to her latest album, Space; the poetry is all there.

By: Patricia McLoughlin

The History And Characteristics Of The Jazz Combo

admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Jazz is an American art form whose roots date back to the mid-19th century slave songs and chants. The early 20th century saw the art form blossom as instrumental music in the southern United States, mainly along the Mississippi river and specifically New Orleans, Louisiana.

Early instrumental jazz combos of New Orleans varied in instrumentation. More often than not, these early jazz groups generally consisted of trumpet, clarinet, trombone, tuba and drums. This instrumentation became what is known as the “dixieland” combo, making its way up the Mississippi river to Chicago where the music became popularized by jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong.

Dixieland combos can be thought of as groups that play “polyphonic” improvisational music. Each instrument is independent of every other instrument, with each player creating separate musical improvisations based on known melodies, or “tunes” of the day.

The players of these early jazz combos each had a separate role within the group. The trumpet player was depended upon to state the melody of the song, while the clarinet would improvise complex lines above him. The trombonists role was to improvise or “fill in” the middle register with lines and notes that were essential to the chord changes of the song itself. The tuba player (or bass player) generally laid down root notes (and 5ths) of each chord on beats 1 and 3 of each measure. The tuba served as the harmonic anchor for the group. Lastly, it was the drummers role to keep everyone together by keeping a steady beat throughout the entirety of the song.

As jazz music developed throughout the 1940s and 1950s, jazz combo instrumentation began to become more standardized. The jazz “quintet” and “sextet” became very popular during this time. The quintet consisted of trumpet and alto (or tenor) sax as the main melodic instruments while the rhythm section (piano, bass and drums) took care of rhythm and harmony.

The sextet added a trombone to form what essentially was a three horn front line, with rhythm section accompaniment. The extra melodic instrument of the sextet made it possible for the horns to add more harmonic depth to the sound of the group. Each instrument had a role not only as a melodic voice, but also as an integral component of the harmonic structure as well.

Modern jazz combos consist of a variety of instrumentation – 4, 5 horn combos are common place. As the group grows in size however, the name “combo” is replaced by “band” or “little big band”.

The jazz combo has provided a musical and creative outlet for countless musicians over the last 100 years. The jazz combo continues to provide jazz musicians the opportunity to work together to make music not only as a group but also to develop their own voice as individual jazz improvisers. It is, and probably always will be, the perfect vehicle for learning the art of jazz improvisation.

By: James P Martin

Jazz and Its Journey

admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A lot of opinion that jazz are the music for elite and well established. But when us look back to root of the jazz may be spelled out members exactly leaves for back. Jazz is an expression art in the form of music. Jazz conceived of basal music in life man and way of evaluating his traditional values. Tradition jazz grows from a dusky skin public life style in oppressed America. Initially, influence from tribal drums and music gospel, blues and field hollers (rallying call of farmer) the parturition has showed that jazz hardly relating to defense of life and human life expression.

What is interesting is that of word “Jazz” comes from a vulgar term applied for action of sexual. Some of rhythms in jazz have ever been associated with houses for whore and women with dislike reputation. On the way then, jazz finally becomes form of music art, either in typical composition and also improvisation, what reflects melody spontaneously. Musicians jazz usually express the feeling which do not easy to be explained, because this music must be felt at heart. “If you ask it you will never know” so according to Louis Armstrong.

Legend of jazz is started in New Orleans and grows to Mississippi, Memphis, St. Louis, and finally Chicago. Of course jazz influenced by the music in New Orleans, tribal drums African and Europe for the music structure. Reasoning of jazz cannot be discharged from fact where jazz is influenced by many music such as: music spiritual, cakewalks, ragtime and blues. One of legend jazz believed that around 1891, an owner of hair shaped shave shop in New Orleans so called Buddy Bolden breezes it’s cornet and from that moment jazz started as new breakthrough in world of music. Half century after that, jazz in America gives many contributions in music world, studied in university, and finally becomes a music stream which is serious and considered.

Music Video Clip Website

By: Andri Irawan

Paris Jazz Scene

admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Paris is a city steeped in jazz history. This history is celebrated every year at the Paris Jazz festival, which takes place every year in the Parc Floral de Paris between June and July. This festival invites crowd pulling jazz legends but also endeavours to showcase new talent from emerging talents of the international scene. Concerts take place in the afternoons every weekend and are the perfect way to experience an authentic Parisian summer atmosphere. With numerous affordable modes of transport and competitively priced Paris apartments on offer, this is the perfect time of year for your romantic city break.

After World War I Paris was turned into a new and exciting hotbed of creativity and innovation, particularly in its underground music clubs and bars. This subculture evolved after the first influx of African American soldiers arrived during the war and brought with them their unique brand of music, which grew rapidly in popularity and quickly established itself in the area of Montmartre. This area has become the spiritual home of jazz in the city and was famed for clubs including Le Grande Duc and Bricktop’s.

This infectious music quickly spread to the areas of Montparnasse, Saint-Germain-des- Prés and the area around the Champs Elysses. The cabaret clubs of the 20’s and the 30’s were the setting for a significant change in the social and artistic development of Paris during this period with some early pioneers of the scene including Josephine Baker, Darius Milhaud and the now legendary Django Reinhardt.

The popularity of the music grew rapidly and by the 1960’s Paris jazz clubs were regularly blessed with jazz royalty such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Today there remains a strong musical tradition and Paris regularly plays host to reputable artists from the international scene.

There is a vast selection of offerings throughout Paris, and with live music every night there will be no excuse for staying in.The Balle au Bond is a truly unique venue. This jazz club is actually a boat that is docked in the Seine in central Paris with fairly reasonably priced drinks.

Le Bilboquet, 13 rue Saint-Benoit 6th is a Paris jazz institution dating back to 1947. This is a great place to soak up the unique ambience in this classy establishment. There is no cover charge, however the drinks are expensive (one glass of white wine costs 18€).

Autor de Midi, 11 Rue Lepic is an authentic underground jazz club. The roster generally contains the local players in this authentic dark jazz “cave”. Reasonably priced drinks and a friendly atmosphere.

Why not end the weekend with a “jazz brunch” in the famous Jazz Club Lionel Hampton at Le Méridien Etoile (81 Boulevard Gouvion St Cyr. This large and up market supper-type club offers smooth jazz and swing on Sundays with its brunch menu costing 36€.

For expert jazz aficionados or novices alike, Paris offers the perfect getaway to explore this musical culture and take in some of the most ambient spots that the city has to offer on the way.

By: Richard Jones

Jazz Musicians And The Art Of Transcribing Jazz Solos

admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Every great jazz musician has, at one time or another, transcribed jazz solos from recordings. Since jazz is an art from that is aural in nature, it makes complete sense that listening and copying the improvisations of earlier jazz masters helps one become a more consistent and skilled jazz improviser.

Transcribing a jazz solo involves the repetitive listening and notation of a recorded jazz solo. To get maximum benefit from the process, the person studying the solo through transcription should memorize and internalize every note and every inflection played by the improviser. “Transcribing” refers to the activity of notating on paper the exact notes and rhythms played by the improviser.

Evolving Technologies of Transcribing Jazz Solos

Charlie Parker could arguably be called the most influential jazz artist of the 20th century. His inventive jazz improvisations changed the face of jazz and ushered in one of the most exciting eras of jazz: the bebop era.

Charlie Parker was born with a huge amount of natural talent, but that does not mean Charlie never worked hard at his honing his craft. History reveals that Charlie spent almost a year early on in his music career memorizing – note by note – the jazz solos of Lester Young from 78 RPM recordings.

Before jazz became widely available on 78 RPM recordings, musicians relied on listening and learning in “real time”. The only way to learn jazz improvisation in the early days of jazz was to listen to live musicians and pick up what you could from what they played. Once played however, the music was gone forever.

During the 1920s, artists such Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and many others began recording their music and jazz improvisations onto 78 RPM acetone discs. This leap in technology opened the door for future musicians to “study” the improvisations of their jazz predecessors.

The 1950s saw the introduction of reel to reel tape machines and ultimately cassette tape recordings. Magnetic tape made it possible for jazz musicians to forward and rewind the tape to exact locations of solos and specific passages of a solo. No longer did musicians have to “drop the needle” on worn out discs to learn a solo or tune. Some cassette tape players were made specifically for musicians, allowing them to slow down parts or all of a recording at half or quarter speed. This proved to be helpful, but slowing down analog tape created problems with pitch and fidelity that was annoying to say the least.

In recent years, computers have assisted jazz musicians transcribe recordings in ways that were once considered impossible. Inexpensive or free computer programs have made it possible to slow down fast passages without changing fidelity or pitch. Other advantages of computer assisted transcription include the ability to change key, precise looping of passages for ease in learning, and even help with notating pitches that are played.

Transcribing and studying great jazz solos can be one of the smartest and beneficial activities any jazz musician can undertake to help hone his or her craft. Even with the marvels of modern technology, the process still takes time and effort however. Don’t forget to use the knowledge and skills you acquire from transcribing jazz solos to performing with live musicians. Nothing will replace the experience of playing jazz with others!

By: James P Martin

Big Band Jazz Music: The Music Of Soul

admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

If we trace the birth of big band jazz music we have to go back in history to the 1920’s. Jazz music probably originated in Louisiana which was then a busy port attracting people from all walks of life from the world over. This gave the musicians ready access to different forms of music. The cauldron of recipes from South American to the American blues and European classical to folk music from far flung areas saw the birth of jazz. Louis Armstrong was probably among the first to popularize jazz with his fine trumpet solos. It was obviously due to improvisation that jazz music quickly gained in popularity.

The advent of the radio gave a fresh boost to jazz music with popular jazz bands in big cities like New York and Chicago in the 1940’s. The rhythmic jazz bands ushered in the “swing era” and the big band jazz music immortalized by the likes of Parker and Gillespie. The popularity of jazz music even today is indicative of our diverse cultures and spirit of the individual. Jazz music is truly the music of soul.

Jazz music is now a part of our music scene. Though its birth was in bars you can now hear jazz music in concerts, in street festivals, in movies and in clubs. It has been accepted globally as a fine form of personalized and individualistic music. Big band jazz music is still popular with guitar, piano, saxophone, flute, keyboard, percussion instruments and the trumpet among others adding to the tempo. The immense revival in the popularity of big band jazz music is adding to the growth in the numbers of amateurs wanting to learn principally jazz piano and jazz guitar among other instruments.

For amateurs of all age groups the internet has spawned a cache of websites making available the finest online courses. These courses taught by professionals help an individual to play along video recordings of popular jazz through jazz accompaniment tracks. So the learner can be taken step by step through his popular music track with his own selection of music instruments.

By: Akhila Choudhary

The Basics of Jazz Drums

admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Music has got its own unique appeal, which can energize your drooping spirits and transport you to a different world altogether. Different musical instruments help to live up the entire musical process all the more effectively. Drums have their own unique appeal.

What sets it apart from other musical instruments, is its capability to jazz up any session and add color to it. It can add the western touch to every music show. Jazz drums form an integral part of the live music sessions.

Jazz music is one such genre of music, which was popularized largely by the famous music composer Louis Armstrong. In fact, jazz music reached new heights under his noble guidance. His legacy still inspires many of the jazz musicians of the present generation.

The drum is usually categorized as a member of the percussion group of instruments. Drum usually is composed of one single membrane known as the drum skin. Drums qualify as the world’s oldest musical instrument. One unique feature of a drum is that its basic design has remained unaltered for ages. Nearly all types of drums fall in the category of untuned instruments. However, modern musicians have started the concept of tuning drums. Often several drums are also arranged together to create a reverberating effect.

Drums usually qualify under the following categories

Aburukuwa

Ashiko

Bass drums

Bongo drums

Jazz drums

Bougarabou

Chenda

Conga

Davul

Dhol

Djembe

Dong Son drum

Dunun

Ewe Drums

Goblet drum

Hand drum

Kpanlogo

Log drum

Mridangam

Side drum (Marching snare drum)

Slit drum

Snare drum

Steelpan (steel drum)

Tabor

Tambourine

Taiko

Tabla

Talking drum

Tapan

Tar

Tenor drums

Timbales

Timpani

Characteristic features of jazz drums

Jazz drums have got an amazing rhythmic quality and sound structure.

They can help to create amazing compositions.

It can jazz up even the most boring music show.

Some of the luminaries in the field of jazz drumming are as followed

Steve Davis

Alan Dawson

Jamey Aebersold

Joe Morello

It is important to learn the fundamental mechanics of jazz drumming to become a consistent player. Playing jazz drums is easy provided you learn the basics right. With the proliferation of the online media there are several software, which can assist you in getting your basics right. Some of them are as followed

Multi media jazz learning kits.

Jazz sheet music.

Jazz backing tracks.

The products can be easily downloaded from different websites according to individual preferences and needs. Some of the popular jazz backing tracks, which can really be helpful for upcoming jazz drummers, are as followed

Lady is a tramp for drums

Summertime for drums

Misty for drums

Green dolphin street for drums

I get a kick out of you for piano

What set jazz drums apart from other categories is its unique toning quality. It can really transform the entire ambiance of a musical concert. But, the whole credit goes to the efficient Jazz drummers, who have transformed the entire musical landscape globally and infused a lot of life into it.

By: Victor Epand