Cool jazz - Lecture notes notes from class PDF

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Cool jazz Characteristics Refers to modern jazz that tends to be softer and less- agitated than bop Sometimes called “west coast jazz” because many of its performers came from California New York, Chicago, and Boston were also centers of innovation in cool jazz Imporant players Lennie tristano   

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Pianist, composer and bandleader Created a modern alternative to bebop during the 1940s in Chicago and New York Tristano style o Preferred vary long phrases and smooth lines o Did not swing in the customary bebop manner o Did not resemble popular songs, no “singable” quality Lee Konitz Innovative alto saxophonist Trisatano’s most talented student during the 1940s o Konitz style was inspired by Tristano, while other young alto saxophonist were imitating Charlie Parker o Played with a light dry, airy tone; employed a slow vibrato o Did not sneak quotes from pop tunes into his improvisations o Used less offbeat rhythm tan parker o Almost all notes were slurred together avoided hard sudden attacks Birth of the cool (a record) 1949-1950: Trumpeter Miles Davis organized recording sessions of a nine-piece band in New york. o “Birth of the cool” band or the miles Davis Nonet  Inspired by the arranging style of gill Evans Best arranger in jazz history  Featured unusal instrumentation including French horn  Gerry Mulligan primary arranger for these sessions and composer  Birth of the cool solidified the cool jazz era o Miles Davis was most important band leader in jazz history Dave Brubeck o Pianist, composer, leader of the best known cool jazz group  Featured the alto saxophonist paul desmond, a bassist, and a drummer o Brubeck style  Simple and tuneful  Easier to follow than bebop

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 Orderly and clear  Used unuseal meters o 1955-1985 ranked second in record sales among all jazz groups o Had another album called time out that was very successful? The popularity of cool jazz A few players the “cool” catergory are the most popular musicians in modern Jazz  Miles davis  Stan getz  The dave Brubeck quartet o Lennie tristano and lee Knoitz were not known outside of well-informed jazz fans...