Listening Part 1

Question 1

Dixie Jazz Band One Step

Answer 1

Originial Dixieland Jass Band- Nick la Rocca(cornet), Larry Shields(clarinet), Eddie Edwards

1) First instrumental jazz recording ever made, ragtime feel, trombone smears
2) 1917
3) Ragtime feel reflective of the music of New Orleans in this time period.

Question 2

Singing the Blues

Answer 2

Bix Beiderbecke
A. Bix Beiderbecke- Cornetist; Frankie Trambauer- Saxophonist
B. Late ragtime; Really relaxed feel is widely known as “Cool Jazz” before the 1950s interpretation of it. Clarinetist plays less arpeggios and plays more like a cornetist.
C. 1927
D. Collective improvisation shows the aspects of jazz in Chicago at this time.

Question 3

Hotter Than That

Answer 3

Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five

1) First elements of real swing; Rhythmic complexity and displacing of beats. Moves away from collective improvisation to soloing.
2) 1927
3) New Orleans

Question 4

You’ve Got to Be Modernistic

Answer 4

James P. Johnson

1) Stride piano. One of three of the most influential pianists in the first 30 years of jazz. Right hand improvising and tugging at the beat.
2) 1930
3) New York piano style

Question 5

Seven Come Eleven

Answer 5

Benny Goodman and Charlie Christian
Benny Goodman- Clarinet; Charlie Christian- Electric Guitar; Lionel Hampton- Vibraphonist
1) Simple theme and rhythms indicative of Swing style. Goodman with his very melodic solo. Charlie Christian, and Hampton play relatively complex solos for that time.
2) 1939

Question 6

How Deep is the Ocean

Answer 6

Coleman Hawkins

1) Tenor sax with complex improvising over changes. Full breathy sound.
2) 1943

Question 7

Prelude to a Kiss

Answer 7

Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges

1) Piano intro (ballad). Hodges holds notes on the tenor sax creating a smearing effect.
2) recorded in 1957
3) New York big band writing

Question 8

Harlem Airshaft

Answer 8

Duke Ellington
1) Combines Soulful nature of New Orleans combo jazz with
sophisticated big band writing associated with New York.
2) 1940
3) New York

Question 9

Taxi War Dance

Answer 9

Count Basie and his band

1) Lester Young, more melodic tenor saxophone player, use of restraint and silence in his solos just like Basie. Piece has no theme just improv and riffs over the changes of “Willow Weep for Me”
2) 1939
3) Kansas City style

Question 10

Lester Leaps In

Answer 10

Count Basie and Lester Young

1) Riffs and improvisation over rhythm changes.
2) 1939
3) Kansas City