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Post by Admin on Dec 19, 2013 7:43:57 GMT -5
Jazz musicians have always tried to achieve a "unique" sound from their instruments. At least, that is my take! From the earliest jazz performances of "ragtime" we knew there was a "different" sound to the music - a brassy, boogie driven beat...  What are some of the defining sounds of Jazz to you? for example, on sax - see if you can determine what's unique about their "sound" Charlie Parker John Coltrane Sonny Rollins Paul Desmond |
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Post by poetrylover3 on Dec 21, 2013 3:23:52 GMT -5
Then there's the soft, sinuous sound of Stan Getz.
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Post by poetrylover3 on Dec 21, 2013 3:24:56 GMT -5
Pale Desmond-famously described as a dry martini.
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Post by billf on Dec 21, 2013 3:41:20 GMT -5
And Miles as the man walking on eggshells.
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Post by poetrylover3 on Dec 21, 2013 4:08:09 GMT -5
Other signature sounds: Johnny Hodges, John Coltrane
Then there are the trumpeters like King Louis, Dizzy, Brownie, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Eldridge...
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Post by poetrylover3 on Dec 21, 2013 11:14:44 GMT -5
I used to enjoy the Downbeat Blindfold tests. Jazz has always fascinated me by its individual voices-just as distinctive as any writer, for example. Both are distinguished by style, tone, diction and the like.
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Post by Admin on Dec 21, 2013 11:18:49 GMT -5
I used to enjoy the Downbeat Blindfold tests. Jazz has always fascinated me by its individual voices-just as distinctive as any writer, for example. Both are distinguished by style, tone, diction and the like. Interesting comments, but so true. It's like most of the arts, some are extremely good for me personally, some are just "ok". For example, I'm a sucker for a great alto sax solo, particularly with a "swing" beat...not so much for the unmuted trumpet. But as my Grand daddy said, "If everyone liked the same thing as me, they'd be married to my wife". |
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Post by poetrylover3 on Dec 21, 2013 11:21:09 GMT -5
Pianists are also distinctive e.g. Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Art Tatum, Bud Powell, Monk, Ahmad Jamal
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Post by Admin on Dec 21, 2013 11:28:25 GMT -5
Pianists are also distinctive e.g. Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Art Tatum, Bud Powell, Monk, Ahmad Jamal Love a great piano...can you elaborate? What do you find distinctive between those you list? For me, Art Tatum is the epitome of a great piano. |
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Post by johnt on Dec 21, 2013 13:04:54 GMT -5
I believe that Coleman Hawkins was one of the most important jazz musicians (along with Louis Armstrong) in terms of sound. Hawkins transformed the saxophone sound from a novelty, sing-song kind of sound (almost humorous)into a rich, resonant, full-bodied sound. The sheer "weight" of Hawkins' sound is something to behold and to hear. That's not to take away from slightly later players like Lester and Getz who had a different sound and approach. But they and all jazz saxophonists owe a real debt to Hawkins for raising the saxophone up from novelty status into perhaps the most expressive of all jazz instruments.
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Post by tom1960 on Dec 21, 2013 13:09:57 GMT -5
I used to enjoy the Downbeat Blindfold tests. You and Bill F ought to get together. He's great at those! |
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Post by billf on Dec 21, 2013 14:34:45 GMT -5
I used to enjoy the Downbeat Blindfold tests. You and Bill F ought to get together. He's great at those! Providing they have music I know in them!  |
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Post by Admin on Jan 3, 2014 9:13:49 GMT -5
What about the drummers? Was it Buddy Rich who defined the beat? Are do you have to further break down the Jazz into Bop and Swing? Gene Krupa vs Buddy Rich?
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Post by Admin on Jan 3, 2014 9:58:47 GMT -5
The Piano as a key defining element of Jazz
(From Berklee)
The European classical traditions melded with African rhythms to give birth to a new sound of jazz. Some of the most influential jazz artists of all time: Jelly Roll Morton, Erroll Garner, Thelonius Monk, Art Tatum, Bud Powell, Marian McPartland, Bill Evans, and McCoy Tyner.
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