Early Jazz Singers Flashcards
1
Q
Time Period
A
1940s - 1950s
2
Q
Who does this whole section revolve around?
A
Miriam Makeba (4 March 1932 - 9 November 2008)
3
Q
Musical Characteristics (9)
A
- Wide-ranging African repertoire including marabou, mbaqanga, traditional African & afro-soul
- Varied world music including English ballads, Portuguese fados, Brazilian Bossa novas, Hebrew & Yiddish melodies, Haitian chants etc
- Started the band, The Skylarks, and sang a blend of jazz and traditional melodies
- Voice has been compared to :
- “smoky tones and delicate phrasing” of Ella Fitzgerald
- “intimate warmth” of Frank Sinatra - Known for singing in her Mother Tongue and her explosive clicking sounds
- Incorporated traditional elements
(male backing vocals -> mbube choirs) - Combined Jazz, R&B, pop & African music in a highly personalised style
- Uses a cappella healing chants pf the amasangoma on one of her albums
- Sounds & rhythm of greater Africa in her song “Aluta Continua”
4
Q
Contribution to SA Music (8)
A
- Sang modern versions of indigenous songs in her mother tongue
- Documentary about apartheid/black struggles through the use of music + general activism
- With the release of Pata Pata, Makeba gained International recognition, highlighting the plight
- First female artist from africa to popularise African music globally
- Recorded and toured with many popular artists such as Harry Belafonte and Paul Simon
- Grammy for Best Folk Album with Harry Belafonte
- Sang the female lead role in the stage musical King Kong
5
Q
Learn timeline in folder
A
.
6
Q
Lakutshon’ iLanga
A
Artist : Miriam Makeba
- Title means : When the sun sets
- Narrates the story of someone searching for their loved one who has gone missing
(relates to pass book arrests) - AABA song form
- Bb Major
- Ballad
- Electric Jazz Guitar comping (arpeggiating chords + fills)
- Double Bass playing ballad style, mainly minims (harmonic rhythm)
