Jazz

History

• Origins (Late 19th Century - Early 20th Century): Jazz originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in New Orleans, Louisiana, a melting pot of cultures and musical traditions. It drew from African American musical styles, including blues, ragtime, and spirituals, as well as European military band music. Key characteristics of early jazz include syncopation, improvisation, and a strong rhythm section.
• Early Jazz and Dixieland (1910s-1920s): Early jazz, often referred to as Dixieland, emerged in the early 1900s. New Orleans bands like the Original Dixieland Jass Band popularized this style with their 1917 recording "Livery Stable Blues." Prominent figures include Louis Armstrong, whose virtuosic trumpet playing and charismatic presence significantly shaped the genre.
• The Jazz Age and Swing Era (1920s-1940s): The 1920s, known as the Jazz Age, saw jazz spread across the United States and become a dominant cultural force. This period was characterized by the rise of big bands and the development of the swing style. Notable bandleaders like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman brought jazz to a broader audience. The swing era, peaking in the 1930s and 1940s, featured large ensembles, arranged compositions, and prominent soloists.
• Bebop (1940s-1950s): In the 1940s, bebop emerged as a reaction against the commercialism of swing. This style, spearheaded by musicians like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk, emphasized fast tempos, complex harmonies, and virtuosic improvisation. Bebop shifted jazz from dance music to a form of art music intended for listening.
• Cool Jazz and Hard Bop (1950s-1960s): The 1950s saw the development of cool jazz, characterized by relaxed tempos and lighter tones. Key figures include Miles Davis, whose album "Birth of the Cool" epitomized this style, and Dave Brubeck. Hard bop, which emerged around the same time, was a return to the roots of jazz, incorporating elements of blues, gospel, and rhythm and blues. Art Blakey and Horace Silver were leading figures in this movement.
• Modal Jazz and Free Jazz (1960s): The 1960s introduced modal jazz, which focused on scales (modes) rather than chord progressions. Miles Davis’s album "Kind of Blue" is a landmark of this style. Around the same time, free jazz, pioneered by musicians like Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane, broke away from traditional structures and embraced avant-garde approaches, emphasizing collective improvisation and experimentation.
• Fusion (1970s): In the 1970s, jazz fusion blended jazz with rock, funk, and electronic music. Miles Davis’s "Bitches Brew" is a seminal work in this genre. Bands like Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Return to Forever pushed the boundaries of jazz, incorporating electric instruments and rock-influenced rhythms.
• Contemporary Jazz (1980s-Present): Since the 1980s, jazz has continued to evolve, incorporating a wide range of influences and styles. The neo-bop movement, led by artists like Wynton Marsalis, sought to return to traditional jazz forms. Meanwhile, artists like Herbie Hancock and Pat Metheny explored new sonic territories. Contemporary jazz includes a diverse array of subgenres, from smooth jazz and Latin jazz to jazz rap and electronic jazz.

Key Figures

Concert Calendar

• Joe Hunt Jazz Quartet
• Speakeasies, Bootleggers, and Jazz: Prohibition and Boston’s West End
• Ravi Coltrane featuring Gadi Lehavi and Ele Howell
• Eastern Bank Lobby Jazz Series: Marshall Wood - Donna Byrne Quartet
• Eastern Bank Lobby Jazz Series: Greg Abate Quartet

Editor's Pick

• Fly Me To The Moon — Frank Sinatra
• Take Five — Dave Brubeck
• What A Wonderful World — Louis Armstrong