3. Jazz, Country, and Early Pop

Birth of Jazz• Mini history: jazz to the mid-1950s

– New Orleans/Chicago bands, swing era, bebop

• Since early jazz overlapped with travelling shows, there were many instances of jazz or jazz-like performances in Canada from the 1910s onwards

• As early as the 1920s, Montreal was an important jazz city– i.e. almost from the beginning of jazz

Guy Lombardo (1902-1977)• Formed London, ON, 1917• US: 1923• Dance band: The Royal Canadians• 1929-1962: NYE in NYCEx: Guy Lombardo and his

Royal Canadians –"Coquette" (1928)

Guy Lombardo (Cont.)• Recorded and performed before, during and after the

Swing era (1930s-1940s)• 300 million records sold over 50 years• “Sweetest band this side of Heaven”

– coined by a Chicago critic• Name “Royal Canadians”

not adopted until after move to US

Gil Evans (1912-1988)

• B. Toronto• California, 1933• Arranger, pianist Ex: Miles Davis – “Boplicity” (1949)

Ex: Miles Davis –“Will O’ The Wisp” (1960)

Oscar Peterson (1925-2007)

• Montreal– local celebrity by 1940s

• 1949 debut at Carnegie Hall, NYC

• Prolific

Ex: Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – “Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You” (1957)

Oscar Peterson (cont.)• Jazz and classical influences• Canadiana Suite (1964):• Oscar Peterson "Wheatland" (1964)• Public and governmental recognition in Canada

Lenny Breau (1941-1984)• B. in Maine, but lived most of his life in Canada• Cult guitarist, master by 20Ex: Lenny Breau - "Cannonball Rag" (circa 1956)• Child prodigy, family band

Lenny Breau (Cont.)• Yorkville, 1962• Drug addiction, many years with no public

appearances• Murdered in LAEx: Lenny Breau – “My Funny Valentine” (1977)• Fingerstyle approach

Country Music

• Appalachian/Southern US origins, 1920s• Roots in Scottish, Irish and British folk music• To Canada via 1920 radio shows, tours• Bristol sessions, 1927, Ralph Peer

Wilf Carter (1904-1996)• B. in Nova Scotia, moved to Alberta in his late teens• 1935, US as “Montana Slim”• Parallel careers in CA and USEx: Wilf Carter –"Calgary Roundup" (c. 1935)

Hank Snow (1914-1999)

• B. Nova Scotia• 30s and 40s Canadian tours

and CBC broadcasts

Ex: Hank Snow – "I'm Moving On" (1950)• Canadian country style?

Tommy Hunter (1937 –)

• “Canada’s Country Gentleman”• One of the longest-running

music/variety shows ever (1962-1992)– Exposure for new Canadian artists– More mainstream: no barns or hay on his show

• Like folk: tells stories, connects to working class in music

Ex: Tommy Hunter – “Travellin’ Man”

Early Pop• Anglo-Canadian popular artists were

successful in the 1950s, but generally did not develop original styles– Unlike with the chansonniers in Québec

• There were small and sometimes influential changes to existing styles

The Crew Cuts

• One of first white groups to succeed in the doo-wop style

Ex: The Chords – "Sh-Boom" (1954)

• Original, explain 1950s cover phenomenonEx: The Crew Cuts – "Sh-Boom" (1954)• Biggest hit was this cover• What's similar and different between these

recordings?

The Diamonds• Vocal group• R&B-derived style• Kicked off a dance craze

– didn't originate the dance, butthis song helped to make a fad out of it

The Diamonds "The Stroll" (1957)Video Ex: "The Original Stroll -- February 1958”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrGLNtZ0rEg

Paul Anka (1941 - )• B. Ottawa• Signs recording/songwriting

contract with ABC, 1957• 50s-70s hits• Songwriter: “My Way”• 50s Teen IdolEx: Paul Anka – "Diana" (1957)

Anne Murray (1945- )• Capitol Records• Took a break around 1975 to start

a family, but then back with majorhits in the late 1970s/early 1980s

• Very strong following within Canada, and was certainly one of the "official" Canadian pop stars in the 1980s and 1990s

• “Countless” CBC specials Video Ex: Anne Murray "Snowbird" (1969)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peWwHTTKmVw