Cool Jazz

Question 1

when was cool jazz most prominent?

Answer 1

late 1940s to mid 1960s

Question 2

how can cool jazz be identified?

Answer 2

-calmer and more restrained than bebop
-smaller ensembles
-slower tempo
-airy tone to sax
-more lyrical

Question 3

name the two key musicians of cool jazz and their instruments

Answer 3

-Miles Davis (trumpet)
-Dave Brubeck (piano)

Question 4

what did cool jazz help to do?

Answer 4

bring jazz back to the mainstream after the experiemental days of bebop

Question 5

which city does cool jazz reflect in it’s mood?

Answer 5

California (but it was popularised in both east and west coast of the USA

Question 6

what event essentially lead to the creation of cool jazz?

Answer 6

in 1949 Miles Davis and the Claude Thornhill band joined forced with Capitol Records to play some arrangements with more ‘classical’ instrumentation. The album was released in 1957 - “Birth of the Cool”

Question 7

what can be said about improvisation in cool jazz?

Answer 7

there is less improvisation in the melodic line and more pre composed arrangements

Question 8

what is different about the instrumentation in cool jazz than other jazz styles?

Answer 8

more classical instrumentation such as flute, french horn and vibraphone

Question 9

name a famous trumpeter other than Miles Davis?

Answer 9

Chet Baker

Question 10

name a famous saxophonist?

Answer 10

John Coltrane

Question 11

how can Miles Davis’ trumpet playing be recognised?

Answer 11

-played with a mute close to the microphone when recording
-a breathy tone with sudden changes of colour
-creating space in his phrasing
-playing ‘out of time’ behind the beat

Question 12

name a key cool jazz album that also happens to be the biggest selling jazz album of all time

Answer 12

Kind of Blue by Miles Davis