jazz class Flashcards
Benny Goodman
“The King of Swing” _ and the significance of the Goodman Quartet)
Glenn Miller
trombone & bandleader w/ many #1 hits (army force band)
Cab Calloway
voice & bandleader known for charisma+scatting
John Haymond
jazz activist/ one of most influential non-musicians in jazz history, wealthy
Fred Astaire & Ginger Ross
key figures + dancers
Mary Lou Williams
“the lady that swings the band”, piano player
Count Basie
piano+ bandleader & started the Benny Moten Band
The Basie Sound is …
“head arrangements”; riff-based, featuring call-and-response between instruments
“The All-American Rhythm Section”
Basie- Piano
Walter Page- Bass
Jo Jones- Drums
Freddie Green- Guitar
Duke Ellington
piano+ bandleader, from DC but performed in NYC (cotton club); “jungle sound”
“The Ellington Effect” was …
composed for the specific strengths of his band members
Ellington was considered to be “beyond category” because…
he disliked being categorized as a “jazz composer”. His image was also distinguished.
Billy Strayhorn
was a composer, lyricist, and rehearsal pianist who co-composed with Ellington. They were close partners from 1938 until Strayhorn’s death
Coleman Hawkins
saxophone player
Yester Young
tenor Saxophone; known for smooth melodies
Django Reinhardt
played guitar; one of the most influential European jazz musicians, unique improvisational solo style & adapted fingerings due to hand injury (fire)
Billie Holiday
her nickname was “Lady Day”, her sound was emotional and bluesy
Ella Fitzgerald
her nickname was “First Lady of Song”, her sound was joyful w/pop & jazz
Art Tatum
played piano and was blind;
Charlie Christian
“Father of Modern Jazz Guitar”
Jimmy Blanton
(with Ellington band); first bass solo that departed from traditional walking bass
Gene Krupa
(with Goodman band, then led his own); First drummer to achieve star/idol status
Charlie Parker (Bird)
played the alto saxophone; improviser
John Birks (Dizzy Gillespie)
trumpet player; afro beats/ music
Dave Brubeck
piano player; west coast style
