Musical Links Investigation American Jazz & Reggae Access Code: gzj488

Where Did Jazz Originate From?- Where was Jazz Born? - New Orleans, Louisiana- Why New Orleans?- Back in the early 20th century, New Orleans was a busy city. It was the perfect

city for all the jazz elements to come together. Since it was a port city, people came from all parts of the world and was a perfect meeting place for different ethnic groups, and a city with great nightlife to come together, learn from each other and play together. All these different cultural traditions ultimately led to the creation of jazz.

African-American Experience- Jazz was born out of and evolved through the African-American experience in

the U.S.- Jazz evolved from songs that originated from the days of slavery- Traditional African Folk songs also had a part in the evolution of jazz. - The earliest jazz musicians were born within a short time after slavery was

abolished in 1865. It remained a vivid memory for them, even though they had not directly gone through it, stories were passed down from older family members who lived before the Emancipation Proclamation.

- In the early 1800s, slaves gathered in Congo Square in New Orleans to perform traditional music and dances. Slaves used stringed instruments. Improvised and played drums in a polyrhythmic fashion, which would later be a huge part in the structure of jazz.

From African Music:- Rhythm and “feel’- “Blues” quality- Tradition of playing an instrument in your own expressive way, with

improvisation being one of the big factors of jazz and in a way making your instrument “An extension of the human voice”

Two Types of African American Songs

- Spirituals - Religious folk songs that slaves sang to express their desire for freedom and devotion to their faith.

- Work Songs - Combine work and singing.- The use of a polyrhythmic structure (Simultaneous use of two or more

conflicting rhythms)

From European Music:- While the majority of Jazz has African roots, European influcences are also

present.

From European Music, Jazz got its:

- Harmony - Similar to classical music’s harmony because of the chords that accompany the tunes

- Instruments - Most of the instruments used in jazz originated in Europe

(Saxophone, Trumpet, Piano)

- Musical Improvisation

From Caribbean Music

- Many slaves who had come to the Southern United States had come through the Caribbean which was the port of entry for the slave ships coming from Africa.

- Forms associated with the plantation life in the Caribbean had strong African influences also found in the Southern U.S.

- ‘Ragtime’ another from of Jazz also has Latin and Caribbean roots.

When Was Jazz Born?- While there is no official date as to when Jazz was born, 1895, the year Buddy

Bolden (Key figure in the early development of jazz) started his band. - Others say Jazz was born in 1917 when Nick LaRocca and his Original

Dixieland Jazz Band recorded the first jazz record, “Livery Stable Blues”- For the most part people agree that 1895 was the unofficial birthday of Jazz and

really started becoming a new unique genre of music in the very late 1800s and early 1900s.

Louisiana DemographicsPopulation - 4.68 Million

Largest City - New Orleans

Capital - Baton Rouge

Area -52,378.13 sq miles

Languages - English (first) French (second)

Religion - 4th most religious state,

With Christianity being the most common.

History of Louisiana- First traces of permanent settlement about 5,500 years ago- Before European influences 5 main Native American tribes lived there

(Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, Creek Nation, Seminole) - European influence began in 16th century when in became a colony of France in

1682 before passing to spain in 1763.- It became part of the U.S following the Louisiana Purchase (About $11,250,00)

in 1803- Louisiana seceded from the Union on January 26, 1861 and was a leading slave

state,- Civil Rights Movement which was a big part of Louisiana’s history did not end

until 1960s

Birthplace of Jazz

Geography of Louisiana

The landscape of Louisiana is divided into three geographic land areas: East Gulf Coastal Plain : The region lying to the east of the Mississippi River is called the East Gulf Coastal Plain. The land is marshy and rises slightly in the north to rolling hills.

Geography of Louisiana Continued:

- The highest elevation is 535 feet (Mount Driskill) - Lowest Point in LA is The City of New Orleans which is 8

feet below sea level.- Approximately 60 inches of rainfall per year making the

land very green.- Biggest River is The Mississippi River which ends at New

Orleans- Most of the land is swampy and flat with an abundance of

trees plants and wildlife.

Common Instruments In JazzWoodwinds

These most common woodwind instruments in jazz are the saxophone and clarinet, having been used since the early history of jazz. Both instruments have a distinct ‘jazzy’ sound.

Common Instruments in JazzBrass:

The trumpet, trombone and tuba have all been used since the early years of jazz including Buddy Bolden who is considered to have started the first jazz band and played cornet. Bands often used a Tuba for outdoor playing in place of a double bass. The trombone first appeared in Dixieland Jazz in 1917 and has since grown to be a staple instrument in traditional Big Band jazz bands with up to 4 different trombone parts.

Common Instruments in JazzBrass:

Common Jazz InstrumentsRhythm Section

While most early jazz bands had only a drum set, a double bass, and occasional guitar, as jazz expanded and grew, the piano and guitar became full time jazz members.

Ragtime (1895 - 1918)

Ragtime originated in the late 19th century and can be characterized by syncopation and upbeat ‘ragged’ rhythms Ragtime was mostly written for piano and the most famous Ragtime composer was pianist Scott Joplin. Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer remain one of the most influential Ragtime pieces.

https://youtu.be/pMAtL7n_-rc

The Jazz Age (1920’s)

The most popular days of jazz was during The Roaring Twenties in the years following the end of WWI. During this period, jazz music rapidly gained nationwide popularity in the United States. Stars including Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Chick Webb, and Louis Armstrong became popular during this time.

https://youtu.be/cb2w2m1JmCY

Swing (1930’s)

Swing jazz became popular during the 1930’s. This type of jazz is characterized by its 'swing feel' where the emphasis is on the off–beat or weaker pulse in the music. A famous tune composed in this era is Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”

https://youtu.be/bMnulNC-3HM

Big Band (1940’s)

Big Band jazz was largely affected by World War II in the 1940’s and because many soldiers including musicians had to go to war, the remaining musicians got together to form a “Big Band”. A traditional Big Band usually consists of ten or more musicians with four sections including saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. Big Bands relied on already written compositions and arrangements rather than improvisation

https://youtu.be/_CI-0E_jses

.

Cool Jazz (1950’s)

Cool Jazz evolved in the late 1940’s and dominated throughout the 1950’s. Cool Jazz is characterized by relaxed tempos and lighter tones and a generally softer feeling to the music. There are also visible influences of classical music.

https://youtu.be/HLzqjmoZZAc

BeBop (1960’s)

BeBop Jazz was largely popular in the 1960’s until it was taken over by Fusion Jazz in the late 60’s and early 70’s. BeBop is characterized by a fast tempo, complex chord progressions, and improvisation.

https://youtu.be/r0DyYYgQjDE

Jazz Fusion (1970’s)

The 1970’s bought a very unique genre to jazz called Jazz Fusion. This genre of jazz was characterized by combining aspects of harmony and and improvisation with funk, rock, rhythm, blues and latin jazz. Musicians began experimenting with electronic instruments including synthesizers and amplified sound for the first time. A famous fusion tune released during this time was Weather Report’s ‘Birdland’.

https://youtu.be/GsSDMGCQDUs

Joe Zawinul

DOB :7 July, 1932 in Vienna, Austria

He was Classically trained at the Konservatorium Wien in Vienna

Won a music scholarship from the Berklee College of Music in 1959.

In 1970 he founded the band Weather Report along with saxophonist Wayne Shorter. He is considered to be one of the founders of Fusion Jazz.

Written by Joe Zawinul in 1977As a tribute to the Birdland NightclubIn New York City.

Birdland marked the peak of Weather Report’s career with the addition of Bassist Jaco Pastorius.

The Manhattan Transfer won a grammyFor their cover of Birdland in 1979

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqashW66D7o

Jamaican Reggae

Background on JamaicaJamaica is located in the Caribbean Sea

miles from Cuba.

Area = 4,244 Square Miles

Population = 2.89 Million

The majority of Jamaica is Christian however,

There are lots of other influential

religions as well, such as Rastafarianism.

Jamaican HistoryThe original inhabitants of Jamaica we’re called the Arawaks also known as the Tainos, and they came from South America over 2,500 years ago.

Around the 1600’s the Spanish started bringing a lot of slaves from West Africa into the island.

By the 18th century the British brought hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans to Jamaica so that by 1800 the ratio of African-Jamaican to Caucasian was 20 to 1.

Jamaican CultureJamaican traditions are ritualistic acts that are carried out over a specific period of time or at a specific event.

Religion is a blend between European Christianity and African religious practices, the secondary is Rastafarianism.

A specific type of music that cannot be claimed to originate from any other country but Jamaica is Reggae.

ReggaeReggae emerged in Jamaica in the late 1960’s and became the most common type of music in Jamaica.

Reggae music is formed upon an earlier form of Jamaican music called ‘Ska’ and it employs a heavy four beat rhythm driven by drums, guitar and bass guitar.

Often times Reggae songs had deeper meanings behind them, that spoke about social and economic injustice.

Famous artists like Bob Marley and the Wailers wrote songs with meanings behind them and became one of the most successful Reggae bands.

Bob MarleyBob Marley was born on February 6, 1945 in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica

Since childhood, he was very interested in music, particularly in vocal harmonies.

Around 1966, Bob Marley was exploring his spiritual side and became interested in the Rastafarian movement. It was during this time where he began to grow his iconic dreadlocks.

Bob Marley first found success when he formed a band with his friends called the ‘Wailing Wailers’. Known as Bob Marley and The Wailers.

Written by Bob Marley and The Wailers, it was released as a single in 1977 and spreads a message of universal love and respect to all people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdB-8eLEW8g

Comparisons - Differences

Jazz (Birdland)

Based on Blues/Minor scales

Drums set a faster tempo

Only a few parts have a vocalbackground

Reggae (One Love)

Based off Major scales

Slow supporting tempo from percussion

The whole song is vocal

Comparison - Secondary Link

Both have a catchy instrumental entrance.

Utilize the use of harmonies vocal or instrumental.

Both have a 4/4 time signature in common.

Both have one main iconic melody with secondary supporting melodies throughout the songs.

Primary Link

-Both have African roots that influenced the music

-Repeated melodies and chords throughout the song

-Utilized electronic instruments such as keyboards, synthesizers etc.

Works Cited- http://www.jazzedmagazine.com/articles/focus-session/the-african-origins-of-jazz/- https://www.nps.gov/jazz/learn/historyculture/jazz_history.htm- https://www.nps.gov/jazz/learn/historyculture/history_early.htm- https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/jazz-music-and-the-caribbean/- www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/monkeytrial-jazz-age/- https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-swing-2039581- https://www.britannica.com/art/big-band-jazz- https://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/timeline_year.php?pg=66&&width=1366- https://www.last.fm/tag/jazz%20fusion- https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035811- https://jis.gov.jm/information/jamaican-history/- http://www.getjamaica.com/Jamaican%20Culture.asp- https://www.britannica.com/art/reggae- https://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Jamaica.html- https://www.biography.com/people/bob-marley-9399524- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Love/People_Get_Ready- https://www.allmusic.com/subgenre/big-band-ma0000002461- https://www.thoughtco.com/jazz-by-decade-1950-1960-2039545- https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/meaning-of-one-love-by-bob-marley/