1.

Statement of Interest -
I want to learn more about my favorite jazz band and artists.
A couple of years ago, my english teacher introduce jazz music to the class. I
really enjoy and am captivated by the mixture of instruments that creates the jazz
sound. Each song has sounds that conflict and harmonize, intertwining throughout.
For this reason, jazz is a lively music. It is filled with excitement and surprises which
is upon the artists mood and improvisation. This makes the song more interesting.
However, every time I listen to it, I always ask myself about the instruments they are
using. This raises some questions such as what instruments do they use, what are they
sound like. I also interested in each types of jazz and its era. For this reason, I am
interested in finding those answers by experimenting in listening various types of
music.

2. Plan of Action

I plan to listen to popular jazz standards, in the style of Frank Sinatra. I will
expand my knowledge about each artists. Everyday, I will analyze and reflect on the
new artists and new understandings of this style of music. I plan to collect the data
from the internet and write a research paper.
Outline of the research
1. Introduction - Introduction of Jazz, Music instruments
2. Biography of each genre of jazz, Summary of each genre
3. Conclusion - Jazz Today, Current Jazz Artists

1st Mind Map (initial knowledge)

 Songs of the day

1. Young and Beautiful (The Great Gatsby Jazz version) - Lana Del Rey
Reflection: Actually this song is popular pop music, but she adapts it to be jazz
version. I think this shows the versatility of this song that it can change to jazz style
and can convey whole new mood and feeling while listening.
2. High Society - Louis Armstrong vs The Dukes of Dixieland
Reflection: While the notes of the song is the same the two artist perform, each artists
have their own style of playing. It is obvious that The Dukes version is faster, more
lively and uses more musical instrument. This version reminds the listener a party or a
parade. For Armstongs version, the drum stands out in the beginning of the song. I
feel like this version includes more improvisation than the other which create unique
feeling while listening.
3. I wish you love - Micheal Buble Version
Reflection: I feel like the lyrics really matches the melody of this song. His voice also
very smooth, so he could convey a very sad feeling through his voice. I think that this
is not a pure jazz type, but his voice sounds like a Frank Sinatra Jazz style.
4. Summertime - Chet Baker vs Summertime - Ella Fitzgerald & Louis
Armstrong
Reflection: Summertime by Chet Baker conveys an easy listening jazz music, while
by Fitzgerald and Armstrong presents a sad and lonely time. This shows the variation
of how each artist can interpret song names different way.
5. New York New York - Frank Sinatra
Reflection: I dont even know when I first knew this song because this song is so
popular that it becomes the song of the city New York. This is the song that most
people would think of when mentioning Sinatra. I think this song accentuate the sound
of saxophone more than any other musical instrument. This is because Sinatra is in the
Swing Era jazz which in that period, saxophone is dominant in solo jazz.
6. What a wonderful world - Louis Armstrong
Reflection: This one of the most popular song of Louis Armstrong. I think this song is
really powerful meanwhile easy to listen and sing along with. In the song, he is
appreciating the world he is living in and he compliments the elements in the Earth
such as trees, sky, and also the people that he saw. This conveys that he is grateful of
being alive which he has a chance to encounter these things.
7. Jumpin Jive - Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers
Reflection: I think this song is mixture of a song and performance(I watch the one
that featured in the movie Stormy Weather(1943)). He reflects the Big Band style
of jazz very clearly. By having a lot of musician in one band, Calloway is able to
engage himself with his band members and make the performance even more fun. The
musical instruments also play a great role in making the music fun and harmonize.
8. Backlash Blues - Nina Simone
Reflection: This song focuses on the lyrics which each performance of this song, Nina
Simone had some twist in it such as sing as if she is talking or improvise the song in
each version of it. Backlash Blues is also a poem-like song which concerns about
racism during the time it was written, and Simone, Black American, conveys the
meaning of it really well.
9. Cry me a river - Ella Fitzgerald
Reflection: There is various types of adaptation of this song, but this is the original
style. I think Ellas voice really match with blues jazz style. Her voice is also a
dominant part of this song in which other musical instruments in this song helps build
the mood and harmonization.
10. The Crave - Jelly Roll Morton
Reflection: From a little research, this song is a Ragtime music style which is
invented before jazz. It is also interesting that I listen to what jazz evolved from. In
this song, Morton accentuates the sound of piano and includes some improvisation
which can give an audience a hint of early jazz vibes.

2nd Mind Map (gained ideas)

3. Demonstration
 Jazz is one the music genre originated in New Orleans, America by African
Americans in the 1900s. Jazz music conveys a sense of collaboration mixed with
individuality, and shows the history of the country. The music was originally born
from the music of African-American slaves, it influences many different culture of
modern American life such as: movies, dance, art, literature, and of course, race. The
heart of Jazz is filled with solo and improvisation which shows that the performer
embraces risk, and the soul of the player. Jazz musicians of the past often tried to
one-up each other in virtuosity and in moving the music in brand new directions.

Jazz Instrument:

There are many instrument that can be used in Jazz depending on style of jazz.
A diagram below shows six key instrument of playing jazz mostly used in New
Orleans genre.

Piano - The piano may be featured as a solo instrument. It may also provide the
accompaniment for another instrument such as the saxophone or trumpet. It is
responsible for keeping the beat and providing the main chord changes.
 Saxophone - The saxophone is perhaps the most popular instrument in jazz. It
has a sharp but sweet sound that lends itself well to portraying a variety of moods. In
most bands there are 5 saxophones including 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones
and 1 Baritone saxophone.

Clarinet - The clarinet was originally a central instrument in jazz, beginning

with the New Orleans players in the 1910s. It remained a signature instrument of jazz
music through much of the big band era into the 1940s. The clarinet has proved to be
an exceptionally flexible instrument in jazz.

Trumpet - The characteristics of the trumpet lends itself well to unique sound
of jazz music. They may provide the melody, counter melody or the background.

Trombone - They play a similar role to the trumpet and saxophone. The player
usually play pitches in the same range as the cello and bassoon.

Banjo - The banjo, often in counterpoint with a tubas bass lines, provided a
high amount of volume in bands, and could be picked up by early recording
technology.

Selected Artists Biography (chronological order)

Jelly Roll Morton - Early jazz and Ragtime

Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe known professionally as Jelly Roll Morton, was
born on October 20, 1890 an American ragtime and early jazz pianist, bandleader and
composer who started his career in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was an important
transitional figure between ragtime and jazz piano styles. He died on July 10, 1941.
Louis Armstrong - Dixieland or Chicago(1920s)
Louis Armstrong was born on August 4, 1901, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He
became popular in the 1920s, influencing countless musicians with both his
improvised trumpet style and unique vocals. His style of music contributed the Jazz
age during 1920s. He recorded several songs throughout his career, including he is
known for songs like "La Vie En Rose" and "What a Wonderful World." Armstrong
died at his home in Queens, New York, on July 6, 1971.

Cab Calloway - Big Band or Swing Era

Cabell "Cab" Calloway was born on December 25, 1907 was an American jazz
singer and bandleader. He is known for scat singing, vocal improvision, and led one of
the United States' most popular big bandsfrom the start of the 1930s to the late 1940s.
Some of his successful songs are Minnie the Moocher and Jumpin Jive. Calloway
continued to perform until his death on November 18, 1994 at the age of 86.

Frank Sinatra - Swing Age, Classical pop, Vocal Jazz

Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, on December 12, 1915, Frank Sinatra rose to
fame singing big band numbers. In the '40s and '50s, he had a dazzling array of hit
songs and albums and went on to appear in dozens of films, winning a supporting
actor Oscar for From Here to Eternity. He left behind a massive catalog of work that
includes iconic tunes like "Love and Marriage," "Strangers in the Night," "My Way"
and "New York, New York." He died on May 14, 1998 in Los Angeles, California.

Chet Baker - Cool Jazz

Born on December 23, 1929, Chet Baker, Jr. was an American jazz trumpeter,
flugelhornist, and vocalist. Chet Baker plays a style of cool jazz in the early and
mid-'50s. As a trumpeter, he had a generally restrained, intimate playing style and he
attracted attention beyond jazz for his appearance and singing. But his career was
marred by drug addiction.

Michael Buble - Classical pop, Vocal Jazz

Born on September 9, 1975, in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, Michael
Buble is a classic jazz and soul singer who cites Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra and
Ella Fitzgerald as his major influences. At age 17 he entered and won the British
Columbia Youth Talent Search, launching his career. Since then, he has had several
No. 1 songs and albums and has won several awards.

The Genre of Jazz and its Overview

Jazz is not fully introduced until early 1900s, in 1917, the first recording of
Dixieland jazz or New Orleans Jazz. Its characteristics include collective of
improvisation, typically includes banjo and tuba. This type also known as Chicago
style while Chicago style uses guitar instead of Banjo. Those styles accentuate the
sound of saxophone and drum, Some of the most influencing artists are Jelly Roll
Morton, and followed by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sidney Bechet.
During 1930 to 1945, Swing Era or Big Bang jazz is invented. This can
refer to be the most popular jazz in the history. In this era, the artists emphasize the
harmonic sound of every instruments, similar to orchestra style, and create a smoother
swing feel to the song. Cab Calloway, Frank Sinatra, and Duke Ellington.
It is followed by Bop jazz which forms during 1945 to 1950. The style
focuses on improvisation and have no complex arrangements. It also plays with longer
and irregular phasing which usually have faster tempo than swing jazz. Some of the
popular artists include Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker.
In the 50s, Cool Jazz becomes popular because of its calm and unhurried
improvisation and has softer dynamics. In the next decade, Free jazz approaches
new way of listening to jazz by having no preset chords and the whole song is filled
with total improvisation. Then, it is followed by Fusion Jazz(1970s) which uses
electric instruments such as electric piano, guitar, and bass.

Jazz Today

Almost every style of jazz stayed active until late 1900s. Although Jazz
continues to slow down during early 2000s and thought to reach the end its
development, Jazz music genre spreads internationally to Europe, Asia, and other
continents. It influences many mainstream songs nowadays. There is also annual jazz
festivals where jazz musicians and audiences meet and share their passion.

Young Jazz Artist

1. Gregory Portor
He is a songwriter and a singer born in California. His song, Hey Laura, uses piano
and soft drum with soft and low tone of his voice which conveys a Cool Jazz style.
His third album, Liquid Spirit, scooped the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal
Album in 2013, solidifying his standing as a future jazz legend.

4. Reflection:

From looking at my first mind map, my knowledge about jazz scattered around
and lack of certainty of about each one. At first, I only know 3 artists, under 10
specific songs, and 3 types of jazz. Most of the artists, I dont even know their jazz era
and their race. But my commitment of wanting to know more about jazz, I start to
research through websites and listen to many songs. From that, I expand my
knowledge from not knowing anything to becoming familiar of each genre of jazz.
The most challenging in creating this project is that jazz has no definite style and
sometimes has mixtures of genre which can be difficult for new listeners like me to
identify each song. However, I think that this is the reason why jazz kept on evolving
throughout the 20th century. In my opinion, I think jazz uses creativity and soul that is
unique in every artist which is shown by their improvisation. Jazz also attracts its
audience by harmonizing many musical instruments into beautifully created songs.
For this project, I think that I put much effort in researching to find the most
accurate answer of my questions, for example, I gone through many websites to find
out the first band that produces the Dixieland Jazz, and the most accurate one is that
there is no first artists because Dixieland jazz is a style that any artist can refer to at
that time. I think this projects outcome exceeds what I aim for. At first, I just want to
know more about jazz in general, but what I receive from is a precious knowledge that
my school or college years will never teach me. I can now identify musical instrument
in jazz and genre of some songs that I may listen in the future.
I really enjoy producing this project. Not only this project matches my interest,
but it also encourage me to listen to it everyday. I get to experiment many types of
jazz and broaden my knowledge about jazz. This is also a great opportunity for me to
decide whether or not I should to go take saxophone lesson which I have been
considering about it for the past few months. The result is I will go to take the lesson
because I am mesmerized by its sound and I also captivated by the jazz artists
abilities to play it so well.
If I have a chance to improve this project, I would put more information in each
genre of jazz by examining deeper in each genre. But in order to make it happen, I do
need more research and listen to more music which is a little bit difficult because there
is a lot going on in the last semester.
Sources

http://www.biography.com/news/louis-armstrong-biography-facts

https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/articles/12-young-american-jazz-musicians-you-
need-to-know/

http://exploringmusicalinstruments.com/the-most-popular-instruments-used-in-jazz-music

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/02/27/jazz-appreciation-for-beginners/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Sinatra%27s_recorded_legacy#Songs_and_albums

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_era

http://lmsmusic.org/jazzdialogue/JAZZ%20STYLE%20PERIODS.pdf

http://www.musicgenreslist.com/music-jazz/