It is difficult to differentiate between actuality and conceptuality In history. History Is In a constant state of change and there Is no one history. This essay will explore the history and development of Jazz as a popular musical style. It will identify ways in which this knowledge can inform brand management thinking. It will examine the essential links between the past and present and appreciate its value as a brand management tool.
It will reflect upon the role and importance of history in connection to Jazz music and describe how this knowledge can be as a brand management tool. It will explore where the genre of jazz began, how It developed, what Influences where Involved and different techniques Involved In the genre. History Is important for an individual and group sense of identity Musical identities are created out of knowledge and experience of the past. – Nexus, k. 1996) Popular Music in Theory, Cambridge, Polity – Chapter 5 Where Jazz began Since Jazz Is essentially the black man’s art, It makes sense to trace African American’s through slavery (A Short History Of Jazz, by Bob Huron, 1993, Bonham Inc Publishers) “It can be argued that Jazz can be traced back to African drum beats ND European musical structures which spanned many musical forms such as spirituals, cakewalks, ragtime and the blues. In times of slavery, slave work songs were created to tell a story, and pass the time.
Elements of both work songs and spirituals are a part of the foundation of Jazz. ” (Fortune city, (2009) Introduction) Knowing these elements of the history of Jazz allows us to take specific areas of the genre and split them into submerges. The knowledge of the history of jazz allows us to compare and contrast past events with current day events, this gives us the knowledge to see if there is a space for Jazz in the current market. “The standard legend about jazz is that it was conceived in New Orleans and moved up the Mississippi River to Memphis, SST. Louis and finally Chicago. (Scholastic Inc, (1996) History Of Jazz) Wanton Marshals said “New Orleans had a great tradition of celebration. Opera, military marching bands, folk music, the blues, different types of church music, ragtime, echoes of traditional African drumming, and all of the dance styles that went with this music could be heard and seen throughout the city. When all of these kinds of music blended into one, Jazz was born. In 1800 The African American composer Scott Joplin Introduced European compositional styles with the rhythmic and melodic music of the black community.
This became known as “ragtime. ” From Ragtime and Blues to Big Band and Bebop, Jazz has been a part of a proud African American tradition for over 100 years. Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, and Billie Holiday are examples of some of the most celebrated Jazz musicians of America’s past. Important features of Jazz music It could be argued that Improvisation Is the most defining feature of Jazz, from the features in Jazz is Call and Response. This was invented by the slaves and was a way of telling a story, and pass the time.
It works by a song leader calling out a line and the rest of the workers would respond to his call. Jazz often had a strong rhythmic under structure and contains a lot of “Blues Notes” which are flatted thirds, sevenths and later fifths. Jazz is widely known for its endless amounts of solos. It also often entails off beat, syncopated cross-rhythms and pentatonic scales. In later Jazz smoother longer notes called legato notes where also used.
Different “types” of Jazz * New Orleans * Dixieland * Boogie woozier * Swing Chicago Style * Bebop * Cool Jazz * Jazz Fusion * Progressive Jazz * Latin and Afro-Cuban Jazz Music Listening Today, Charles Hoofer, 4th deed, 2009, Screamer Coinage Learning Bands, audiences and performers are continually referring back to something that was occurring before – Nexus, k. (1996) Popular Music in Theory, Cambridge, Polity – Chapter 5 Important Figures in Jazz Some of the most important names in Jazz are mentioned below: Duke Elongating (1899_ 1974) He was one of the most significant figures in music history.
As a pianist, composer, and bandleader, Elongating helped fuel the “swing” era. Elongating plays the piano, but his real instrument is his band. Each member of his band is to him a distinctive tone color and set of emotions, which he mixes with others equally distinctive to produce a third thing, which I like to call the ‘Elongating Effect. ‘” -?Billy Statutory, Benny Goodman (1909-86) Benjamin David Goodman was an American Jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the “King of Swing”.
In the mid-sass, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America. Goodman band was one of the first racially-integrated musical groups. Dizzy Gillespie (1917-93) John Birds Gillespie was a Trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. In 1937 he met Theologies Monk and Charlie Parker and together they experimented with Jazz and came up with the bebop sound. His bold trumpet playing, unique style of improvisation, and inspired teachings had a major influence in Jazz musicians. John chlorate (1926-67) John William Chlorate was a saxophonist and composer.
Working in the bebop and and later was at the forefront of free Jazz. Chlorate influenced innumerable musicians, and remains one of the most significant tenor saxophonists in Jazz history. Miles Davis (1926-91) Miles Dewey Davis Ill was a trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in Jazz music, including bebop, cool Jazz, hard bop, modal Jazz and Jazz fusion.
Other Important figures in Jazz include: * Fletcher Henderson (1897-1952) * count Baste (1904-84) * Theologies Monk (1917-82) * Charlie parker (1920-55) * Ornate Coleman (born 1930) (Manual Oak, (2000) Famous Jazz Musicians) Brand Management Thinking Tools Social Relations New music and new cultural dialogues are made within the context of the possibilities provided by existing social relations (the industry organization, the political arrangements, the entire patterns of mediation and methods of social distribution) – Nexus, k. 1996) Popular Music in Theory, Cambridge, Polity – Chapter 5 Jazz was essentially created by black slaves as mentioned. This music helped them get through work days and sing of the injustices in their lives. Because this music was originated by black people it was not popular until white men began to play it. Essentially at that moment in time black music was not socially accepted, however if a white person took the music and played it, it would gain a lot of popularity and people assumed that white people where the creators. The first to record was “The Original Dixieland Jazz Band” which was a band made of 5 white males.
In the present market one could argue that society has come a long way, and music of both black and white orientation are now socially accepted in all societies. In the current society it is very common still, for people of both black and white orientation to sing bout injustices in their lives, therefore creating an opening in the market for Jazz fuelled songs about oppression and injustices. Technological advances Technological advances include; Studio and instruments of music making, methods of storage and distribution) Nexus, k. 1996) Popular Music in Theory, Cambridge, Polity – Chapter 5 When Jazz was taken over by white men, they were the first to record this music. As stated above the first Jazz record was “The Original Dixieland Jazz Band”. Obviously the technological advances since these first Jazz recordings are phenomenal. From the introduction of compact disk recordings to the use of amplification the old “Jazz sounds” could be re-recorded and released with a fresher sound, more clear cut and in turn attract a new and bigger audience. As stated, Jazz was created by black slaves.
At this time in history black people were oppressed against by the richer white male. The economic climate at the time was good for upper class white males however black people were made to work as slaves. Modern day society, although without slaves, still contains the rich and the poor. Due to the lyrical content and songs of hardship Jazz music in the modern market would ell to a lower class of people. It could be argued that Jazz would sell extremely well in the current economic climate due to the current recession; the music could be now, as swing was then, a way to forget the injustices and hardships and have fun.
The economic climate links on to the political status. At this time political status involved white upper class males ruling, while females had no say and black people were slaves. However, when Jazz was popular, it did not matter of your social or political or economical status, Jazz was a way to be “free”, and everyone was welcome to Join in. It could be argued that the current political status of the world is still very much like it was back then, the upper class male still rules although female and black people are allowed a higher political standing now.
It could be argued that due to the recession, people now want to lash out at the upper class rulers, and this would once again open up a new market for Jazz in the music industry Just as it did many years ago. This then ties in with the current culture. It could be argued that current “stars” include a certain aspect of Jazz in their work, for example, Michael Bull. Michael has mined a vast popularity, however this is mainly towards the white population.
One could argue that Jazz may have been created by black slaves but in current society it is now creating more links with white upper class males, the exact thing the original jazz musicians complained about. Conclusion In conclusion, using brand management thinking and a historical account of the Jazz era, one could argue that there is a clear gap in the music market for modern Jazz music. Wither it is due to the recession, the technological advances, social status’s or political indifference, it seems clear that a Jazz come back in 2011 could be very Seibel.
