Jazz is a type of musical art that arose as a result of the synthesis of African and European cultures with the participation of African American folklore. From African music rhythm and improvisation were borrowed, from European - harmony.
General information about the origins of the formation
The history of jazz originates in 1910 in the USA. It quickly spread throughout the world. During the twentieth century, this trend in music underwent a number of changes. If we talk briefly about the history of jazz, it should be noted that in the process of formation several stages of development were passed. In the 30-40s of the twentieth century, a swing and bi-bop movement had a great influence on him. After 1950, jazz began to be considered as a musical genre, which included all the styles that it went through as a result of development.
Currently, jazz has taken a place in the field of high art. It is considered quite prestigious, influencing the development of world musical culture.
The history of jazz
This trend arose in the United States as a result of the merger of several musical cultures. The history of the origin of jazz begins in North America, most of which was inhabited by English and French Protestants. Religious messengers sought to convert blacks to their faith, caring for the salvation of their souls.
The result of the synthesis of cultures is the emergence of spirituals and blues.
African music is characterized by improvisation, polyrhythmia, polymetry and linearity. A huge role here is given to the rhythmic beginning. The meaning of melody and harmony is not so significant. This is because the music of the Africans is of applied value. She accompanies work, ceremonies. African music is not independent and is associated with movement, dance, recitation. Her intonation is quite free, as it depends on the emotional state of the performers.
From European music, more rational, jazz was enriched by the fret major-minor system, melodic constructions, harmony.
The process of combining cultures began in the eighteenth century and in the twentieth century led to the emergence of jazz.
New Orleans School Period
The first in jazz history is the instrumental style that originated in New Orleans (Louisiana). For the first time this music appeared in the performance of street brass bands, very popular at that time. Of great importance in the history of the emergence of jazz in this port city was Storyville, a district of the city that was specially allocated for entertainment venues. It was here, among Creole musicians of Negro-French origin, that jazz was born. They knew light classical music, were educated, possessed European playing techniques, played European instruments, read music. Their high performing level and upbringing on European traditions enriched early jazz with elements that were not exposed to African influences.
Piano was also a common instrument in Storeyville establishments. It sounded mostly improvisation, and the instrument was used more like a percussion.
An example of the early New Orleans style is the Buddy Bolden Orchestra (Cornet), which existed in 1895-1907. The music of this orchestra was based on a collective improvisation of a polyphonic structure. At first, the rhythm of the early New Orleans jazz compositions was marching, as the origin of the bands came from military bands. Over time, secondary instruments were removed from the standard composition of brass bands. Such ensembles often held competitions. They were also attended by the “white” squads, which were distinguished by a technical game, but were less emotional.
In New Orleans, there were a large number of orchestras that played marches, blues, ragtime, etc.
Along with Negro orchestras, orchestras consisting of white musicians also appeared. At first they performed the same music, but were called "Dixielands." Later, these compositions used more elements of European technology, their style of sound extraction is changing.
Steamboat Orchestras
In the history of the origin of jazz, a certain role was played by New Orleans orchestras working on steamboats that cruised along the Mississippi River. For passengers traveling on pleasure boats, one of the most attractive entertainments was the performance of such orchestras. They performed entertaining dance music. For performers, a mandatory requirement was knowledge of musical literacy and the ability to read sheet music. Therefore, these compounds had a fairly high professional level. In such an orchestra, she began her career as a jazz pianist, Lil Hardin, who later became the wife of Louis Armstrong.
At the stations where the steamboats made stops, orchestras arranged concerts for the local population.
Some of the orchestras remained in or away from cities along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. One of these cities was Chicago, where blacks felt more comfortable than in South America.
Big band
In the early 20s of the twentieth century in the history of jazz music, a big band form took shape that remained relevant until the end of the 40s. Performers of such orchestras played learned parts. The orchestration implied a vivid sound of saturated jazz harmonies, which were performed by brass and wooden wind instruments. The most famous jazz orchestras were the orchestras of Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, County Basie, Jimmy Lansford. They recorded genuine hits of swing melodies, which became a source of swing enthusiasm in wide circles of listeners. At the “battles of orchestras” that took place at that time, big-band solo improvisers brought the audience to hysteria.
After the 50s, when the popularity of big bands declined, for several decades the famous orchestras continued to tour and record. The music they play has changed, being influenced by new trends. Today, the big band is the standard in jazz education.
Chicago jazz
In 1917, the United States entered World War I. In this regard, New Orleans is declared a city of strategic importance. It closed all entertainment venues, where a large number of musicians worked. Remaining unemployed, they massively migrated to the North, in Chicago. During this period, there are all the best musicians from New Orleans, as well as from other cities. One of the most striking performers was Joe Oliver, who became famous in New Orleans. During the Chicago period, his band included famous musicians: Louis Armstrong (second cornet), Johnny Dodds (clarinet), his brother “Baby” Dodds (drums), and Chicago-based young and educated pianist Lil Hardin. This orchestra performed improvisational full-textured New Orleans jazz.
Analyzing the history of jazz development, it should be noted that during the Chicago period the sound of orchestras changes stylistically. Some tools are being replaced. Performances that become stationary can enable the use of the piano. Pianists have become mandatory band members. Instead of wind bass, double bass is used, instead of banjo - guitar, instead of cornet - trumpet. Changes are also taking place in the drum group. Now the drummer plays on the drum kit, where its capabilities are becoming wider.
At the same time, saxophone began to be used in orchestras.
The history of jazz in Chicago is replenished with new names of young performers, musically educated, able to read from a sheet and make an arrangement. These musicians (mostly white) did not know the real New Orleans sound of jazz, but knew it in the performance of black performers who migrated to Chicago. Musical youth imitated them, but since this did not always work out, a new style arose.
During this period, Louis Armstrong's mastery reached its peak, designating the example of Chicago jazz and securing the role of a soloist of the highest class.
In Chicago, the blues is reborn, putting forward new artists.
There is a merger of jazz with pop music, so the vocalists begin to appear in the foreground. They create their own orchestral compositions for jazz accompaniment.
The Chicago period is characterized by the creation of a new style in which jazz instrumentalists sing. Louis Armstrong is one of the representatives of this style.
Swing
In the history of jazz creation, the term “swing” is used (in translation from English - “swing”) in two meanings. First of all, swing is an expressive tool in this music. It is characterized by an unstable rhythmic pulsation, creating the illusion of an acceleration of pace. In this connection, it seems that music has a great internal energy. Performers and listeners are united by a common psychophysical state. This effect is achieved through the use of rhythmic, phrasing, articulating and timbre techniques. Each jazz musician seeks to develop his own original way of “baling” music. The same applies to ensembles and orchestras.
Secondly, this is one of the styles of orchestral jazz, which appeared in the late 20s of the twentieth century.
A characteristic feature of the swing style is solo improvisation against the background of accompaniment, which is quite complex. Musicians with good technique, possessing knowledge of harmony and mastering the techniques of musical development could work in this style. For such playing music, large orchestras or big bands were envisioned, which became popular in the 30s. The standard composition of the orchestra traditionally included 10-20 musicians. Of these, from 3 to 5 trumpets, the same number of trombones, a saxophone group, which included a clarinet, as well as a rhythm section, which consisted of a piano, string bass, guitar and percussion instruments.
Bop
In the mid-40s of the twentieth century, a new jazz style was emerging, the appearance of which marked the beginning of the history of modern jazz. This style arose as opposed to swing. He had a very fast pace, which was introduced by Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. This was done with a specific goal - to limit the circle of performers only to professionals.
The musicians used completely new rhythmic patterns and melodic turns. Harmonic language has become more complicated. The rhythmic base from the big drum (in swing) passed to the cymbals. In music, any kind of dance completely disappeared.
In the history of jazz styles, bebop was the first to leave the sphere of popular music in the direction of experimental creativity, in the sphere of art in a “pure” form. This happened due to the interest of representatives of this style in academicism.
Bopers were shocking in appearance and manner of behavior, thereby emphasizing their individuality.
Bebop music was performed by ensembles of small compositions. In the foreground is a soloist with his individual style, virtuoso technique, creative thinking, mastering the skill of free improvisation.
Compared to swing, this trend was more highly artistic, intellectual, but less massive. It had an anti-commercial focus. Nevertheless, bebop began to spread rapidly, he had his own wide audience of listeners.
Jazz territory
In the history of jazz, it is necessary to note the constant interest of musicians and listeners around the world, regardless of the country in which they live. This is due to the fact that jazz artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington and many others, built their compositions on the synthesis of various musical cultures. This fact suggests that jazz is music that is understood throughout the world.
Today, the history of jazz has its continuation, since the potential in the development of this music is quite large.
Jazz music in the USSR and Russia
Due to the fact that jazz in the USSR was considered a manifestation of bourgeois culture, it was criticized and banned by the authorities.
But October 1, 1922 was marked by a concert of the first professional jazz orchestra in the USSR. This orchestra performed the fashionable dances of Charleston and Foxtrot.
The history of Russian jazz includes the names of talented musicians: a pianist and composer, as well as the head of the first jazz orchestra, Alexander Tsfasman, singer Leonid Utesov and trumpeter Y. Skomorovsky.
After the 50s, many large and small jazz ensembles began their active creative work, among them the Oleg Lundstrem Jazz Orchestra, which has survived to this day.
At present, Moscow hosts the jazz festival every year, in which world-famous jazz bands and solo artists participate.