Jazz

Jazz ismost significant form of musical expression that combined elements of Ragtime, marching band music and Blues.

What differentiated Jazz from these earlier styles was the widespread use of improvisation (Spontanious Composition ), often by more than one player at a time.

Buddy Bolden is credited for the originator of jazz music.

The generally accepted roles are as follows:

Cornet / trumpet : Front line: the lead instrument,

plays the main theme.

Trombone : Front line: underpins the cornet.

Reeds (clarinet, alto or tenor sax) : Front line: weaves the front line together.

Drums : Rhythm section.

Bass (double bass, tuba, sousaphone, or bass sax) : Rhythm section.

Banjo / guitar : Rhythm section.

Piano : Optional extra ! Belongs to both front line and rhythm section: the only instrument without a clearly defined role.

The music called Jazz was born sometime around 1895 in New Orleans.

The city of New Orleans features prominently in early development of jazz.

A port city with doors to the spicy sounds of the Caribbean and Mexico and a large, well-established black population, the Crescent City was ripe for the development of new music at the turn of the century.

Brass bands marched in numerous parades and played to comfort families during funerals. Also, numerous society dances required skilled musical ensembles.By the time of his passing, he was considered amongst the world's greatest composers and musicians.

The French government honored him with their highest award, the Legion of Honor, while the government of the United States bestowed upon him the highest civil honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

He played for the royalty and for the common people and by the end of his 50-year career, he had played over 20,000 performances worldwide. He was The Duke, Duke Ellington.