Jazz: a type of music developed by black Americans about 1900 and possessing an identifiable history and describable stylistic evolution. Jazz has borrowed from black folk music, and popular music has borrowed from jazz, but these two kinds of music remain distinct and should not be confused with one another. And now, sit back and enjoy a little Jazz history; SEE the artists and HEAR their music!
Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker (1920-55), known as "Bird" by admirers, was among the greatest creative artists in the history of jazz music. Along with trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie (below), Parker was largely responsible for developing the style known as bebop, in which fast, harmonically complex melodic lines are improvised over rapidly shifting chord progressions. Playing with Gillespie in New York City, Parker exhibited a bright, distinctive tone and brilliant improvised musical ideas. His recording of "Perdido" in 1953 is famous. ...
Listen to "Perdido" melody
American jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993) is considered one of the founders of the style of jazz known as bebop. Gillespie transformed pop and jazz standards by altering chords, extending melody lines, and opening up compositions for more improvisation and experimentation. Gillespie also incorporated complex harmonies and Afro-Caribbean rhythms into his music. During the 1940s he recorded with acclaimed jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker and with Parker helped usher in the bebop movement in jazz. Dizzy's 40's bebop sound
Benny Goodman (1909-86), an American jazz clarinetist and bandleader, was known as one of the originators of swing music. This photograph shows the "King of Swing" with his big band in the mid-1930s recording a performance for a radio show. In 1934 he organized his own orchestra; by 1936, with weekly radio broadcasts, it had become one of the most popular jazz groups in the U.S.
Born in New Orleans, cornet & trumpet player Louis Armstrong grew out of the Dixieland jazz tradition and helped to establish a new, more sophisticated jazz sound. Armstrong's unique sense of rhythm and spontaneity eventually overshadowed his teacher and mentor, cornet player King Oliver. Armstrong took jazz improvisation to a new and creative level as an art form while electrifying audiences with his high notes and new sonorities. Armstrong was one of the first jazz musicians to perform in Europe.