Transcript Something About Music

Something About Music
By: Nicholas Nguyen
Sex
Jazz
What does sex have to do with jazz?
The origin of jazz
Brothels of New Orleans
“Red light” district, Storyville
“Jism”
Piano players or small bands
Bars and clubs
Louis Armstrong
Nicknamed “Satchmo”, “Pops”, “Ambassador Satch”
Trumpetist and singer
Born August 4, 1901 in New Orleans.
Had tough childhood.
Went working as early as 15 years old.
Fired his stepdad’s gun on New Year’s Eve and arrested on the spot.
Sent to a “waif home” where he fell in love with playing the cornet.
Eventually able to play jazz full time.
Count Basie
“King of Swing”
Had a tough childhood, dropped out of middle school to play piano.
Had immense natural talent.
Started small, gained much attention.
Joined Walter Page’s Blue Devils, first introduced him to the big band sound.
Joined his dream band, played until the bandleader’s death.
Made it into his own Barons of Rhythm band.
Contacted by John Hammond, had his big break.
Duke Ellington
Born into musically talented family.
Turned down music scholarship to continue ragtime passion.
Pianist, played in clubs, bandleader of a sextet.
Formed new conceptions of jazz and its melodies, became famous for his jazz
ballads.
Band expanded, becoming 12 member band of music stars known formally as
Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Paul Gonsalves: guitarist turned tenor saxophonist
Severe alcohol and heroin problem.
Charles Mingus
Born in 1922.
Heavily influenced by Duke Ellington.
Formally studied double bass, but loved jazz.
Early professional career, toured with Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory, etc.
Later played with big jazz legends in 50’s: Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Art Tatum,
and Duke Ellington himself.
Quickly developed musical leadership as a bassist.
Highly acclaimed composer and band leader.
Known for harder swinging, aggressive hard-bop style of music.
Sources
http://countbasie.com/?page_id=2211
http://music.cbc.ca/#!/blogs/2013/7/Sex-and-jazz-a-visual-snapshot-from-brothelsto-seduction-tips
http://www.biography.com/people/louis-armstrong-9188912#younger-years
http://mingusmingusmingus.com/mingus