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Ragtime songs
They were vocal versions of ragtime. Originally coon songs were without syncopation.
Ragtime songs featured a non syncopated piano accompaniment and a light ly
syncopated melody.
Instrumental ragtime
It refers to many things. Coon songs, arrangements of coon songs for instrumental
ensembles, dance music, marches..
Important names in Classical Ragtime
-Scott Joplin (1868-1917) piano player. He was taught for free by a german music
teacher who thought he was talented. Most famous composition Maple leaf rag was
a model of classical ragtime. He wrote operas. He received a posthumous Pulitzer Prize
for his contribution to AMerican music.
Mapple leaf rag form : AABBACCDD
-Tom Turpin (1873-1908) published his first rag Harlem rag , the first instrumental rag
published by an African-american composer, in 1897.
-James Hubert Eubie Blake (1883-1983) was ragtimes leading figure on the East
coast.
-James Scott (1886-1938). His music is close to Scott Joplins. He was published by
Scott Joplins publisher, John Stark.
-Joseph Lamb (1887-1960) was white. Before he met Scott Joplin he was unfamiliar with
black cuture. He borrowed themes and compositions liberally from others.
Ragtime was so popular that it became wordly known and influenced classical
composers like Debussy, Stravinskywho composed their own ragtimes.
The Minstrel Show
It featured afor-american music but was played by whites. It was inspired by the song
jumpin jim crow about a physically disabled black slave. (Jim crow gave its name to
the law about segregation) Its a type of music-theatre mocking black people.
Stephen Foster was a great minstrel show composer (he was more respectful than
others)
This genre arrose because of the interest of white people in the african-american music.
From 1880, appeared black minstrel shows : black mimicking whites mimicking blacks.
-Benny Goodman (1907-1986) clarinet, bandleader. Was called King of the swing .
Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson and him (his trio)
-Jimmy Dorsey, clarinet, alto sax, bandleader.
-Tommy Dorsey, trombone. They had the Dorsey Brother Orchestra.
-Artie Shaw (1910-2004), clarinetiste, composer, bandleader. Signed Billie Holiday as his
band vocalist in 1938 (first white band with a black singer). He was called King of
clarinet
Kansas City :
Style of Kansas city music :
-vocal blues
-riffs
-soloists get an important role
-simple arrangements compared to Duke
-strong rhythmical impulse, swing feel
-preference for tenor sax
-lot of contrasts with dynamics
Bandleaders in Kansas city :
-Bennie Moten (1894-1935) pianist and band leader, developped riffing style that would
define many of the 1930 big bands. In 1929 he recruited Count Basie, and Walter Page
(bass). It became the basie sound
-Count Basie (1904-1984) piano, conductor. When Moten died in 1935, the band shortly
continued, then Basie organised a group the Barons of rhythm (with Jo Jones, Lester
Young) that became later the count Basie orchestra, a leading band of the era. They
became internationally famous by the end of the 30s. Than after reduction of the group
because of financial considerations in 1950, the big band was reorganised in 1952 and
made many tours and recordings. Various singers (Sinatra) worked with the band.After
Basies death, the band continued with Thad Jones, and Franck Foster.
Solists of the swing period :
-Coleman Hawkins, Bean (1904-1969), tenor sax. He developed the sax to its full
value. 1922 he started playing in the band of Fletcher Henderson, on clarinet and bass
saxophone. He developed his phrasing under the influence of Louis Armstrong : sound
and control of the full tessitura, use of highest registers, improvised in the chords,
passing chords, double time. He is the founder of the ballad style.
1934 went to europ for six years and played with Django and Benny Carter.
1939 went back to USA and recorded the famous Body and Soul, became best tenor
player in down beat.
-Lester young prez 1909-1959, tenor sax. Plays with an alto sax, influenced by the
blues. Light tone, soft attack, almost no vibrato. Light and relaxed jazz. From 1933 plays
in the bands of Bennie Moten, King Oliver and Fletcher Henderson. Also Count Basie.
Played in smaller bands and recorded with Billie Holiday
-Johnny Hodges, (1907-1970), jeep , rabbit alto sax. Prominent member of Duke
Ellingtons orchesra : Duke wrote for him ( Hodge Podge etc). Pure tone, economy
of melody, wide vibrato, sliding and slurring. Was admired by Ben Webster, John
Coltrane. Had his own orchestra in 1950.
-Ben Webster, frog or the brute , (1909-1973), tenor sax. Plays with Young Family
band, and joins Bennie Motens band. Plays with Duke and becomes his 1st major tenor
soloist.
-Benny Carter (1907-2003), alto sax, arranger, composer, conductor. Works with
Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb. Has his own band in 1932. Leaves europe and
conducts the BBC dance orchestra. Makes arrangements for singers like Sarah
Vaughan, Ella, Ray Charles, Peggy Lee, Louis Armstrong
-Cootie Williams (1911-1985) trumpet. Began with the Young family, played with Chick
Webb and Fletcher Henderson. Prominent member of Dukes orchestra. Then in 1940,
plays with Benny Goodman. He then had his own orchestra (emplyed Charlie Parker)
and rejoined Ellington in 1962. Growling jungle style , inspired Marsalis with his
plunger mute.
-Roy Eldridge, little jazz (1911-1989) trulmpet. Played in various bands in the early
30s. Has the rhythmic power to swing a band. Quick playing, high registers as well.