Kansas City Flashcards
Why did Kansas City become a center for jazz?
it was a railroad hub;
had strong music education and unions;
Tom Pendergast
What is characteristic of Kansas City Jazz?
Riff-based melodies; influenced by blues; featured virtuoso soloists; rhythm with a sense of motion; use of head arrangements
musical idea that is repeated over and over in place of a more traditional melody
riff
“Jumpin’ at the Woodside”
Count Basie Orchestra
KC Jazz
highschool in Kansas city with great music program
Lincoln High School
Who led the band program at Lincoln Highschool
Major N. Clark Smith
Tom Pendergast
democratic party boss in Kansas City;
owned alcohol business so didn’t enforce prohibition
Benny Moten’s Kansas City Jazz Band
most influential bandleader in KC Jazz
Hired Count Basie to play piano for his band because he was too busy on the business side
Benny Moten
George E. Lee and His Novelty Singing Orchestra
main competition to Benny Moten’s band;
was eventually absorbed by Benny Moten’s band
George E. Lee
volcalist, saxophone
KC bandleader
Julia Lee
singer
“Down Home Syncopated Blues”
George E. Lee and his Novelty Singing Orchestra
KC jazz
Walter Page’s Blue Devils
territory band originally based in Oklahoma
territory band
band that travelled around in a territory
Walter Page
double bass
went to Lincoln Highschool
who is the originator of the eight beats over two bars walking bass technique
Walter Page
Andy Kirk and his Twelve Clouds of Joy featuring Mary Lou Williams
more carefully arranged
Mary Lou Williams
piano;
form Atlanta GA–>Pgh
“Squablin’ “
Walter Page’s Blue Devils
KC jazz
“Mary’s Idea”
Andy Kirk and his Twelve Clouds of Joy
KC jazz
Count Basie Orchestra
took over Benny Moten’s Orchestra with Buster Smith
who brought Basie’s band to prominence
music promoter John Hammond
What band had the All-American Rhythym Section
Count Basie Band
