Welcome to Slow American English, the podcast for learners of American English.
I'm your host, Karen Tolliver.
This is episode number 1505, Jazz Music.
The jazzinamerica .org website defines jazz music as, Musical Conversation – a partly planned and partly spontaneous musical dialogue among the musicians who are performing it.
The description goes on to say that jazz musicians bring their musical and personal experience together to inspire the music that is produced at any given moment.
Hence, no two renditions of a jazz song are ever alike.
Jazz is a relative newcomer on the world music scene.
It's only about 100 years old.
It first appeared in New Orleans in the early 20th Century.
Other music forms, such as symphonic, folk, opera, and Eastern are centuries older.
Jazz is the only truly American genre of music.
It evolved out of the experience of black Americans, and combines African rhythms with European harmonies and instruments.
Today, people worldwide perform, evolve, and enjoy jazz.
Other music types have influenced jazz throughout history.
jazz reflects everything from rock to rap to gospel to blues or Eastern styles.
However, jazz continues to maintain its uniqueness.
It's a complex art form with highly technical and deep emotional components.
It is more demanding to listen to than most other popular musical styles.
Ultimately, however, jazz jazz is about feeling, not intellect.
Although jazz is art music, it is also functional.
It can be vocal or instrumental.
It is played for dancing, ambiance and even funerals.
Jazz performances are enjoyed in every type of venue, from prestigious concert halls to unsophisticated bars.
Here is a timeline of the history of jazz.
to 1955, Hardbop and Funky Jazz, 1951 to 1958, Modal Jazz, 1958 to 1967, Avant Garde slash jazz today from 1990 to the present.
The type of jazz known as smooth jazz is not considered true jazz by many jazz aficionados because it is scripted and programmed and therefore not of the moment.
It is mostly derivative and often covers well -known hits by soul or R &B artists copying the vocal melody precisely.
There have been dozens of talented, influential jazz musicians over the years.
You may want to find music by some of them and build your own knowledge of jazz.
It is easy to find good examples of excellent jazz music on the internet.
Here are some of the greatest and most well -known jazz people.
Art Tatum, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Thelonious Monk are famous pianists.
Charles Mingus is well known for his standing bass performances.
Art Blakey and Max Roach are celebrated drummers.
Dizzie Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, and Miles Davis are renowned for their trumpet playing.
Legendary saxophone players include John Coltrane, Coleman Hawkins, and Charlie Bird Parker.
And, of course, Billie Holiday is probably the most well -known jazz singer in history.
Many of these musicians were also composers and band leaders like Benny Goodman.
As you can see, jazz music is a complex art form with a rich, diverse history.
Because of this, it has something for everyone.
Even if you know nothing about its roots, jazz can be delightful to enjoy.
That's the podcast for this time.
Slow American English is written and produced by Karen Tolliver, copyright 2015.
The music for this podcast is written and performed by SW Campbell and used by permission.
The opening theme song is Junie Says.
The ending music is Beans and Dirty Rice.
Find these songs and more music by this artist at www .soundclick .com slash s w c a m p b e l l.
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This has been slow American English.
I'm Karen Tolliver, thank you for listening.
