Finals2/7/14 2:17 PM1. Classical Piano Ragtime 1897-1917 Crossing the barline = syncopation the time was ragging John StarkNotated African American music associated with Scott Joplin and Joseph Lamb and James ScottFoundation of Jazz SyncopationFirst music to syncopate melody over the barlineLower bass notes typical fall on the first and third. Teicks of each measure, alternating with chords on 2nd and 4th ticks Simple European harmonyNot improvisedWell structured, thematically coherent, well notated with dynamics and phrasing and played at a controlled tempo of about 80-110 bpmMaterial for dance music, intended for solo pianoArtists: Tom Turpin (1873-1922)Joseph Lamb the only non Afro-American ragtime pianist at the time. James Scott

Transition: Jelly Roll Morton (transitional figure) Jazz King of New OrleansIntroduced swingWalking in 6th instead of 10thSlurs, melody below harmonyMore advanced harmonyDick Hyman

2. Harlem Stride PianoPrimarily Solo PianoInfluential on 20th century popular musicRepertoire from Ragtime, Originals, Broadway MusicalsCharacteristics: Chromaticism, European impressionistsymmetrical scales, BalticMore ArpeggiationsReharmonizationsWalking left handMore improvisationMore rangePolyrhythmicMarmonically complexLeft hand jigs: alternating between bass notes and chords in the mid range (8ves or 10ths and chord or another octaves with inner voicing)

Spectacular Practitioners: James P. Johnson (father of)Classically trained, good use of dynamics, sustain pedal, and rangeIntroduced rolls, taken from Luckey RobertsCarolina Shout, Back Water Blues, Thou SwellWilliam The Lion SmithSon of a maid of a Jewish house, trained in classical music since age 8, exposed to Klezmer, love French musicFormer artillery, might explain his harsh soundListening Example: FingerbusterCharles Luckeyth Roberts (grandfather of)Known for big statureStudents include: Ellington, Hines, Gershwin, Johnson, Eubie Blake, etc. Few recordings, usually society gigs. Listening Example: Pork and BeansThomas Fats WallerPianist, organist, singer, composer, arranger, entertainer, comedian, band leaderListening Example: Your Feets Too Big, Aint Misbehavin, Smashing Thirds, Im Crazy Bout My Baby, Honeysuckle RoseGeorge GershwinPianist, Composer, Bridge Jazz with Popular, Legitimized JazzProbably but not totally self-taught, attended Made more than 100 piano rolls in his teen yearsAmerican in Paris: Gershwin asked Maurice Ravel for composing lessons but when Gershwin answered how much money he made, Ravel neglected.

Three Stride Masters:Dick WellstoodDon EwellRalph SuttonDick HymanThe Foundation: Ragtime, Stride2/7/14 2:17 PM

Big Band Era: Fletcher Henderson OrchestraPaul Whitman OrchestraBenny Goodman BandCount Basie Big BandDuke EllingtonCharacteristics:Piano reduced to ensemble roleLess bass activity

Swing Pianists:Earl Fatha HinesEnsemble pianistTrumpet style right hand Octaves for the effect to cut through the hornsHorn like phrasing, influenced popular jazz through bebopEmploying 10ths on both left hands and right hands, and moving inner voiceVideo Example: Jazz Piano Workshop, Earl Hines and Jaki ByardListening Example: Undecided, Squeeze Me, Earl ExplainsTeddy WilsonMost important pianist of the swing periodEarly style influenced by Hynes, but then changed at some point from more percussive to more legato sound. Plays and records with Louis Armstrong, Benny Carter, Benny Goodman (first interracial band!), Billie Holiday, Lester YoungEarly recordings reveal a percussive style, single-note ines and bold staccatos, that was indebted to Earl HinesRefines his style to a distinctive legato idiom that served him for the rest of his careerCreated great harmonic refinement often omitting the root until the end of the phraseListening Example: All of Me, What a Little Moonlight Can Do with Billy Holliday and Benny Goodman on clarinetDuke EllingtonStride PianistComposer, arrangerBandleaderListening Example: Reflections in DBilly StrayhornCount BasieBasie Big BandMinimal approach to pianoShort blues riffsListening example: Good Time Blues, Basies Boogie, Corner Pocket

Boogie WoogieAt the same time with jazz swing, 12/24-bar blues, different left hand happeningHarmonically simple, not much chords or tensions, ostinato left hand (1-bar/2-bar patterns)Boogie Woogie piano playing possibly originated in the lumber and turpentine camps of Texas and in the sporting houses of that state. A fast, rolling bass giving the piece an undercurrent of tremendous power power piano playing.Explanations: west Africans, sound of railroadsPercussive blues piano styleImprovised right handVery rhythmic and percussiveRighthand syncopation similar to RagtimeWest African ostinato percussive traditions underlying improvised lead percussion parts Played in different house partiesRent parties.. People throw in parties, charge people admission and sell food to help pay rentBoogie Woogie Pianists:James YanceyEstablished BW style with slow, steady, simple LH bass patternsVariations on three or four bass patterns, rarely playing more than single bass notesProfoundly influenced other musiciansListening Example: Bear Trap Blues, Yancey SpecialPine Top Smith (1904-1929)Most influential blues figure of the 1920Piane Tops Boogie Woogie became a template for subsequent blues tunes. Influenced: Ray CharlesHersal ThomasMeade Lux Lewisdepression eraBoogie Woogie pioneerHelped establish boogie-woogie as a major blues piano style in the 1930s-1940sDiscovered with Ammons and Johnson by John Hammond (talent scout), brought to Carnegie Hall, brings back BW to popularityBoogie Woogie served as influence to Rock n Roll music. Albert AmmonsA lot hard hittingOne of the big three of the late30s BW along with Pete Johnson and Meade Lux LewisPerformed Carnegie Hall, Spirituals To SwingAlso played Swing and Stride PianoPete Johnson (1904-1967)Appeared in the From Spirituals to Swing concert in Carnegie HallScreaming right hand octaveRocket 88 considered one of the oldest Rock n Roll records, Count Basie put in hornsListening Examples: Death Ray BoogieTransition from Stride to Swing2/7/14 2:17 PM

Art TatumInfluenced by Fats Waller, 20th century classical composers, Earl HinesSet the standard for technical dexterityPlayed in little clubRevered by not only jazz pianists but also classical: Fats Waller, Gershwin, Oscar Peterson, Hank Jones, Herbie Hancock, Igor Stravinsky, Vladimir Horowitz, Sergei RachmaninoffPrimarily Solo pianistsTrio with Slam Stuart, Tiny GrimesSmall Group: Benny Carter, Roy EldridgeLoved Classical, improvised over it(listening example: Chopin, Valse in C# Minor, Op. 64, No. 2)StyleBalance and TouchTechniquesPlayed stride but was not primary approachPlayed blues (listening example: Blues in B Flat (1954) w Benny Carter and Louis Bellson)Pursuing perfectionClarity in up-tempo playingCascading linesMelodic and harmonic inventions Flawless accuracyPedaling technique (listening example: Yesterdays, Earl Hines Rosseta)TechniqueFingers flat on the keys to get his tone and speedPlay scales with his thumb and first two fingersPedaling to achieve toneImpeccable Time

Dave McKennaRepertoireStandards, Pop, TV TunesLeft HandWalking BassStrideFour to the bar strum (imitating guitar)Right HandTrue To Song and MelodyPentatonic and Bop LinesPredominantly eighth note swing

Listening Quiz

1. Tea for Two Art Tatumguess: Teddy Wilson, Fats Wallerstylistically stride, funky feel than James P. Johnson, looser feel, comical character

2. Tenderlyguess: Art Tatumharmonically complex, moving inner voice below the melody, intricate pedal work

3. guess: Jelly Roll Mortonswing feel, feels like playing notated piece

4. guess: luckeyth robertscertainly stride pianist, rolls, hard touch, rhythmic

5. guess: Teddy Wilson!!! flowing lines, legato, incomplete stride voicing

6. Sweet Georgia Brownguess: Dave McKennawalking bass line, occasional comping, stride in the middle of the tune

7. guess: Earl Hinesnot much stride lines, but the feel certainly is.

8. guess: George Gershwinsounds more thoroughly composed, not too much improvisation, not much stride as well, bass only at 1 many times.

9. guess: Scott Joplinmelodic opening for the waltz, not swinging.

10. Albert Ammons

Pre-Bebop2/7/14 2:17 PM

Bebop: response to Big Band music, which took much improvisation.

Founding Fathers: Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie

Bebop Pianists: Bud PowellInfluences include Fats Waller, Art TatumModernized jazz PianoForemost of the bop pianistsTransforms Charlie Parkers vocab to the pianoDoes away with the left hand stridingMinamal left hand shell voicings, placed off the beatListening Example: Un Poco Loco, Off Minor, Bouncin With Bud/Bebop in Pastel, Get Happy, AnthropologyThelonious Monk Was a stride pianistOne of the architects of BebopImpact as a composer and pianist has had a profound influence on every genre of musicTrained as a composer and pianist - Julliardlistening example: Trinkle Trinkle Monk/Coltrane, Well You Neednt, Just A Gigologive more space, not really looking for tone/really percussive, angular piano stylePlaying emits humor and witLennie TristanoInfluenced by Charlie Parker and Bud PowellFirst to perform and free jazz (before Ornette Coleman was regarded Founder of Free Jazz)Integrationalist: soloists would not only be playing in the moment but sharing the same momentOver the bar line phrasing, Extended melodies-phrases (often criticized for this)Work for spontaneityPlayed left hand bass lineOverdubbing recordingsListening example: C Minor Complex, Wow, TautologyBarry HarrisSonny Clark

Innovations of BebopInstrumental music not singableIncrease in complexity over earlier stylesMore diversifiedRhythmic texturesHarmonic vocabulary emphasis on the improvisation of rapid melodies Improvisation favored over composition

BlueNote Records are designed simply to serve the uncompromising expressions of hot jazz or swing, in general. Any particular style of playing which represents an authentic way of musical feeling is genuine expression. By virtue of its significance in place, time and circumstance, it possesses its own tradition, artistic standards and audience that keeps it alive. Hot jazz, therefore, is expression and communication, a musical and social manifestation, and Blue Note records are concerned with identifying its impulse, not its sensational and commercial adornments.Alfred Lion, 1939, Statement of Purpose of Blue Note Records

Listening example: Star Eyes Charlie Parker

Big Band-Bop2/7/14 2:17 PM

The music more accessible than bebop. Example: Claire de Lune - Debussy

Milt Buckner (1915-1977)Pioneer Block ChordsPopularized the Hammond Organ with Leslie SpeakersMulti Instrumentalist: piano, organ (with pedals), vibes, valve tromboneBluesy, R&B jazz styleDeveloped a uniquely percussive technique, parallel tonal patternGeorge Shearing, Oscar Peterson, Red Garland, Bill Evans, Erroll Garner Listening Example: Robbins Nest, Sunny Side (Milt Buckner, Illinois Jacquet, Jo Jones)

Erroll Garner (1921-1977)Most accessible of pianistsPopular without compromiseLoyal to melodyUsed piano like an orchestraFlowery block chordsLearned everything by ear, didnt read musicNovelty Rags of the twentiesFats Waller, Earl HinesDriving left hand comping rhythms of Freddie GreenArpeggios in left and right handsFilled octave treatment of melodies and solo linesPizzicato, super-syncopated introductionsListening Example: Long Ago Far Away, How High The Moon, Indiana, I Get A Kick Out of You (unison far octaves)Lesson Erroll Garner 1 Dick Hyman

George Shearing (1919-2011)Early influences: Fats Waller, Earl Hines, Bob Zurke, Milt Buckner, Teddy WilsonBig Sounds The Shearing SoundLocked HandsVibes plays clarinet leadGuitar plays lower saxophone parts in unisonVibraphone doubled what his right hand playedAnd the guitar double the leftListening example: September in the Rain, Conception (George Shearing Quintet), Lullaby of Birdland, To Antonio Jobim (with Jim Hall on classical guitar) Boogie Woogie pianists from Britain, influenced with BebopListening Example: Break Out The Blues, Consternation, Swedish PartyIve spent my life on touch and sound, and very little on Hanon exercisesShearing Sound came to represent the essence of sophisticated hip for countless listeners worldwide who preferred their jazz on the gentle side

Listening: Duo Joy Spring (Cesar Carnago)

Nat King Cole (1919 1965)Pianist and Vocalist/SingerNats SoundInfluenced by Earl Hines, Teddy Wilson, Alfred Ammons and Art Tatum. Ray Charles the biggestTight ArrangementsShort SolosTrio consisting of Piano, Guitar and BassInfluenced Oscar Peterson and Bill EvansListening Example: I Got Rhythm, Tea For Two, Sweet LorraineCompare Aint That Fine (Ray Charles) with That Aint Right (King Cole Trio)The Birth of Block Chords2/7/14 2:17 PMCivil Rights activities, actor, first African-American TV Show host

New Orleans: Birthplace of Jazz and FunkHenry Roeland Byrd Professor Longhair/FessPioneer, Father of New Orleans R&BLatin-tinged rhumba-rocking pianoCroaking, yodeling vocalsSecond-line beatsListening: Tipitina, Big ChiefJames BookerConsidered a piano prodigy (classical)Instant musical recallPhotographic memory in sight readingElaborate embellishments on the simplest of songsInfluences: Chopin, Errol Garner, LiberaceListening: Tico-Tico, Junco, ClassifiedVideo: Little Coquette/Yes Sir Thats My Baby 1983Malcolm John Dr. John Rebennack Jr. BluesBoogie WoogieRock and rollBorn in LouisianaListening: Dorothy, Iko Iko, When The Saints Go Marching In

Otis SpannJackson, MississippiChicago Shuffle/BluesHouse pianist for Chess Records and CheckersMuddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Robert Jr Lockwood, Bo Diddley, Fleetwood Mac, Little Walter, Sonny Boy WilliamsonListening: Take A Walk With Me, This Is The BluesNew Orleans2/7/14 2:17 PM

Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal, Phineas Newborn, Hampton Hawes, Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Barry Harris, Horace Silver, Bobby Timmons, Les McCann, Gene Harris, Monty Alexander, Kenny Barron, Tommy Flanagan

Oscar Peterson (1925-2007)Classically Trained, brilliant technique, light, often compared to Art TatumSounds the same for 40 yearsSoloist, Accompanist, ComposerInexhaustible improviserSwing, Blues, Bebop11 Grammys, Ten Honorary Doctorates, Chancellor of York UniversityMusical Associates: Clark Terry, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Pass, Niels-Henning rsted Pedersen, Ray Brown, Ben Webster, Milt Jackson, Ed Thigpen, Dizzy Gillespie, Herb Ellis, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Stan Getz, Martin DrewInfluencesJames P. JohnsonTeddy WilsonNat King ColeArt TatumListening example: Pete Kellys Blues, Sweet Georgia Brown, Sandys Blues, Woody-N-You, Corcovado, Hymn to Freedom, 52nd Street

Hank Jones (1918-2010)Unlike Peterson, develops a lotMusical Associates: Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Roy Eldridge, Charlie ParkerStaff pianist for CBS, Ed Sullivan ShowInfluences:Bud PowellEarl HinesFats WallerTeddy WilsonArt TatumListening examples: Hank Jones on Bebop

Ahmad Jamal (1930 - )Influences: Erroll GarnerArt TatumTeddy WilsonCount BasieNat King ColeBilly StrayhornMary Lou WilliamsSense of development: technical in the beginning then suddenly continue sparse, use of spaceKnown for his arrangementsSoft touch, sparse lines, melodically and harmonically inventive, complex left-hand chord voicings, bud powells right hand emphasis, a chamber-like sensibility, classical formalityGot contacted by Miles Davis to play in his band but he declined so Miles Davis has to go with Bill Evans insteadListening: Darn That Dream, Poinciana

Phineas Newborn, Jr. (1931-1989)Initial influencesJelly Roll MortonJames P. JohnsonFats WallerSwing Style pianistsTeddy WilsonCount BasieNat King ColeArt TatumMilt BucknerOscar PetersonInitially R&B pianists, had a family band (Phineas Newborn, Sr., Calvin Newborn), preparing to become a concert pianistMultiinstrumentalist: piano, vibes, trumpet, saxLeft hand usually stride, later years often simulated a refined version of stride by playing on all four beats with his left handRiffs and chromatic runs became a part of improvisationThe Newborn school of piano, founded the double octave technique later used by Oscar PetersonListening: Celia, Lush Life, Jazz Scene USA 1962, All the Things You Are, Im Beginning To See The Light

Red Garland (1923-1984)Hardbop pianist born in Dallas TexasDisctinctive shimmering sound, hard bop lines, block chordsHis main influences were Count Basie and Nat King Cole, from whom he drew lessons in touch, phrasing and conception. He also learned from James P. Johnson, Luckey Roberts, Teddy Wilson, Bud Powell, and Art TatumGarlands Sound block chordConstructed of three notes in the right hand and four notes in the left hand, with the right hand one octave above the left. The right hand played the melody in octaves with a perfect 5th placed in the middle of the octaveListening: If I Were A Bell, Willow Weep for Me, Stompin At The Savoy

Hampton Hawes (1928-1977)Anchored in chord-change based jazzWest Coast and funk-jazz or rhythm schoolGot in jail for heroin addiction, the only person who got presidential pardon by John F. Kennedy 6 months laterPost-Bop2/7/14 2:17 PMListening: Hamps Paws, Blues The Most

Horace Silver (1928-)Pioneer of the style Hard BopThe Blue Note SoundSoulful modern jazz that incorporated the language of be-bopTrumpet, Tenor, Piano, Bass DrumsPioneer for the Jazz Messengers with Art BlakeyCombines elements of rhythm-and-blues, gospel, and jazzHorace Silver was one of the major musicians of the hard-bop and soul jazz movement of the 50s and 60sShell voicing left hand and variationsListening: Song for My Father, The Natives Are Restless, Safari, Thou Swell

Bobby Timmons (1935-1974)Major contributor in shaping the soul-jazz sound of Blue NoteBop Powell bop lines, dominant left hand reminiscent of the stride and boogie players, his sense of that down home chording and timing immediately made him recognizableMore bluesyListening: Moanin

Les McCannBlues, gospel and swing, heavy emphasis on the groove influenced by the church and Erroll GarnerOne of the first users of electric piano, clavinet, and synthesizerListening: The Truth, Compared to What

Gene Harris (1933-2000)The Tree Sounds, Ray Brown Trio, Philip Morris Big BandSoulful style influenced by Oscar Peterson and Junior ManceMost accessible and amiable of Jazz PianistsSuperior command of the blues and balladsListening: Blues for Sam Nassi, Summertime, You Make Me Feel So Young, Funky Genes

Monty Alexander (1944-)Jamaican roots with jazzHarmonizationInfluences: Oscar Peterson, Gene Harris and Nat King ColeListening: Forever lovin Jah, Jammin, Jamento, Smile, Im Walkin, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, JamentoDouble Trio format, Jazz trio combined with reggae trio, featuring guitarist/vocalist listening: Monty Alexander Jazz and Roots Jammin

Tommy FlanaganJazzdisco.org/tommy-flanagan/catalog/album-indexSoloist, ensemble pianist, accompanist, composerLyrical melodicStyle PolishedElegant soundHarmonic and rhythmic punch of bebopFond of quotesTours with Ella FitzgeraldRecorded Giant Steps with John ColtraneInfluenced by Teddy Wilson, Nat King Cole, Bud Powell, Art TatumListening: It Dont Mean A Thing, Giant Steps (Trio), Verdandi, How High The Moon (with Ella Fitzgerald)

Kenny Barron (1943-)Rich piano soundEven Rhythmic ArticulationBebop, post-bop and modernstylings drawn from McCoy Tyner and Herbie HancockFrequent use of Brazilian RhythmsListening: There is No Greater Love

Live at MaybeckHard Bop2/7/14 2:17 PM

McCoy Tyner (born 1936 in Philadelphia)Innovations:Quartal harmonyPentatonic permutationsModal improvisationsBlock chordsInfluences: McCoys decision to study piano was reinforced when he encountered the legendary bebop pianist Bud Powell, who was a neighbor of the familys. Another major influence on Tyners playing was Thelonious Monk, whose percussive attacks would inform Tyners signature styleTyner joined John Coltrane in 1961 for the classic album My Favorite Things, and remained at the core of what becae one of the most seminal groups in jazz history, The John Coltrane QuartetMore recently he has arranged for big bands, employed string arrangements, and even reinterpreted popular musicListening Examples: Walk Spirit Talk Spirit, JaCara, Giant Steps, Have You Met Miss Jones, Softly As A Morning Sunrise (1962), My Favorite Things, Shes Leaving Home, Will You Still Be Mine,compare to Cecil Taylor

Cecil Taylor (1929 in Long Island, NY)Pioneer of Free jazz: uncompromising figures of Avant-Garde abandons most conventional notions of rhythm and melodyGot masters degree from New England Conservatory for Classical PianoListening Examples: This Nearly Was Mine

William John Bill Evans (1929-1980)Listening Examples: Turn Out the stars, B minor waltz, On A Clear Day, Waltz for Debby, Displacement, My Bells (with orchestra), Funkallero, Your StoryClassically trainedConsidered the father of modern jazz pianoReform of chord voicing systemModern trio concept of equal interplay bass and drums being equal parts of the trio, no longer reduced to supportive roleRhythmic explorationsBrought new songs into jazz repertoireCommon chords and tensionsShort rhythmic motive, repeat and extend it with increasing complexity, end it in a burst of notes that resolved those complexitiesHe used complex relationships, adding to the swing that comes from the more usual duple/triple conflict in jazz by layering other duples and triples over the more basic ones. Transposition to add interest and contrastWhile Evans was open to new musical approaches that would not compromise his musical and artistic vision such as his occasional use of electric piano, and his brief associations with avant-garde composer George Allen RussellBill Evans is considered the most important jazz pianist of his generation and remains on of the most influentional musicians of the post-bop jazz pianoMusicians who played and recorded with Bill Evans often recognized him as the one who made the differenceHis inescapable influence on the very sound of jazz piano has touched virtually everybody of prominence in the field after him (as well as most of his contemporaries), and he remains a monumental model for jazz piano students everywhereInnovators2/7/14 2:17 PM

Keith Jarrett (1945)Child prodigy performing classical and original compositions in grade schoolAbsorbs jazz and improvisation through the recordings of Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner, Bill Evans, Ahmad JamalJoined Art Blakeys group followed by Charles Lloyd in mid sixtiesJoined Miles Davis in 1970Launches his solo career: Facing You 1971Contrapuntal LH, linear RHInnovative contemporary harmonyComplex melodiesThe Kln ConcertPhotographic MemoryFormed his Jazz Standards Trio (w Jack DeJohnette, Gary Peacock) in early 1980s, only records live performances, rather than record in the studio, a belief that the audience is, an integral part of each and every performanceRubato introsLinear, lyrical right handExtensive improvisationSparse compingDelicate nuances in his touchSolo Solo improvisationFresh spontaneity to American standardsRecorded and performs classical; Bach, Mozart, and ShostakovichFree improvisationOne of the highest paid jazz musician, up to $250k per concertListening: Charles Lloyd Forest Flower (1965), Semblance, Bemsha Swing, Im Old Fashioned

Armando Anthony Chick Corea (1941- )Jazz, Classical, Rock, Fusion, Latin/FlamencoClean, clear attackPrecise, clean articulationPercussive touchComplex harmonic sensibility that combines jazz and latin and classical musicLyrical, Angular linesClassical ornamentationSwing is more on top/angularTimeline:1966: First LP under his own name, Tones for Jones Bones1971: RTF original compositions empsizae the fusion of jazz traditions with Brazilian and Latin-American music, Light As a Feather, Return to the seventh Galaxy1985: Chick Corea Elektric Band1990: Chick Corea Akoustic Band return to standardsClassical recording, many duets, solo projects, solo piano

Herbie Hancock (Born in Chicago 1940)Signs with Blue Note Records in 1962Takin OffEmpryan IslesMaiden VoyageMiles Davis Quintet 1963-1965 (with Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Tony Williams)Herbie Hancock has been an integral part of every jazz scene since the 1960A member of Miles Davis Quintet, he became on of the pioneers of avant-garde sceneAcademy awarded for film score round midnight plus fourteen Grammy awardsCreative chair for Jazz at the Los Angeles PhilharmonicChairman of the Thelonious Monk InstituteGraduated as electrical engineering. Hired by Fairlight Synth, developer for Bose, Yamaha CP70 and Fender RhodesVoices are entirely his own, with their own urbane harmonic and complex, earthy rhythmic signaturesListening: Watermelon Man, Oliloqui, Stella, Head Hunters 1973

Contemporary Jazz2/7/14 2:17 PM

Michel Petrucciani Influences: Bach, Debussy, Ravel, Mozart, Bartok, HorowitzDuke Ellington, Bill Evans, Keith JarrettBlock ChordsOrchestral approach uses the full span of the grand pianos registersMakes full use of the instruments pedalsExtroverted soloistAggressive tempos workPassionate bond with his audienceListening: Green Dolphin Street, Giant Steps, Les Grelots, Looking Up (Music Viceo)Book in Library

Kenny Werner (1951-)Classical studies at Manhattan School of Music, Berklee College of MusicPrivate studies with Madame Chaloff, alongside Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Mulgrew Miller, Steve KuhnLoves to paraphrase songsBooks/Articles Playing for the Right Reasons, Effortless Mastery Listening: Inspiration

Brad Mehldau (1970 -)Child ProdigyClassically trainedHundreds of transcriptionsJazz studies with Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner, Jackie McLeanPercussion studies with Jimmy CobbTwo-Hand IndependenceProficient and contrapuntal left handPlays a separate melody with each hand in unusual hythmic metersCreates an ostinato in his right hand while developin a motivic idea in his left handOdd meters, contrapuntal, odd reharmonization and arrangementsWon Berklee Colleges Best All Around Musician during sophomore in highschoolIncorporates Classical stylistic methods into jazzLyrical-emotional intensity of Romantic (Schumann, Brahms)Economic use of material, melodic fragmentsContrapuntal aspects of BaroqueInfluences: Classical from the Baroque and Romatic periods, Wynton Kelly, Red Garland, McCoy Tyner, Bill Evans, Keith JarrettListening: Get Happy, Ill Be Seeing You, All The Things You Are, Good Bye Story Teller

Jess Dionisio Chucho ValdsStarts his first jazz trio at the age of 16Founded Irakere with Paquito DRivera in 1972 while playing with the Orquestra Cubana de Musica ModernaAn incredibly inventive and fluid pianist, Chucho combines the influences of Art Tatum, Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner with Afro-Cuban roots and a blazing technique, Avant Garde pianist Cecil TaylorHe writes most of the bands compositions and arrangements and has released dozens of albums, both with Irakere and as a solo performerRevered as a national treasure in Cuba, the Duke Ellington of CubaWhen you hear current Cuban jazz or popular music, whether Gonzalo Rubalcaba, N.G. La Banda or Charanga Habaera, you hear the influence of Chucho Valds and IrakereListening: A Mi Madre, Chucho s Steps

Finals:Brad MehldauHerbie HancockBill EvansKeith JarrettKenny WernerGene HarrisMcCoy TynerKenny BarronChucho ValdesChick CoreaMichel PetruccianiMonty AlexanderHampton HawkesRed GarlandOscar PetersonCecil Taylor2/7/14 2:17 PM

Brad MehldauChild ProdigyClassically trainedHundreds of transcriptionsJazz studies with Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner, Jackie McLeanPercussion studies with Jimmy CobbTwo-Hand IndependenceProficient and contrapuntal left handPlays a separate melody with each hand in unusual hythmic metersCreates an ostinato in his right hand while developin a motivic idea in his left handOdd meters, contrapuntal, odd reharmonization and arrangementsWon Berklee Colleges Best All Around Musician during sophomore in highschoolIncorporates Classical stylistic methods into jazzLyrical-emotional intensity of Romantic (Schumann, Brahms)Economic use of material, melodic fragmentsContrapuntal aspects of BaroqueInfluences: Classical from the Baroque and Romatic periods, Wynton Kelly, Red Garland, McCoy Tyner, Bill Evans, Keith JarrettListening: Get Happy, Ill Be Seeing You, All The Things You Are, Good Bye Story Teller

Michel Petrucciani Influences: Bach, Debussy, Ravel, Mozart, Bartok, HorowitzDuke Ellington, Bill Evans, Keith JarrettBlock ChordsOrchestral approach uses the full span of the grand pianos registersMakes full use of the instruments pedalsExtroverted soloistAggressive tempos workPassionate bond with his audienceListening: Green Dolphin Street, Giant Steps, Les Grelots, Looking Up (Music Viceo)Book in Library

Kenny Werner (1951-)Classical studies at Manhattan School of Music, Berklee College of MusicPrivate studies with Madame Chaloff, alongside Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Mulgrew Miller, Steve KuhnLoves to paraphrase songsBooks/Articles Playing for the Right Reasons, Effortless Mastery Listening: Inspiration

Herbie HancockSigns with Blue Note Records in 1962Takin OffEmpryan IslesMaiden VoyageMiles Davis Quintet 1963-1965 (with Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Tony Williams)Herbie Hancock has been an integral part of every jazz scene since the 1960A member of Miles Davis Quintet, he became on of the pioneers of avant-garde sceneAcademy awarded for film score round midnight plus fourteen Grammy awardsCreative chair for Jazz at the Los Angeles PhilharmonicChairman of the Thelonious Monk InstituteGraduated as electrical engineering. Hired by Fairlight Synth, developer for Bose, Yamaha CP70 and Fender RhodesVoices are entirely his own, with their own urbane harmonic and complex, earthy rhythmic signaturesListening: Watermelon Man, Oliloqui, Stella, Head Hunters 1973

Keith Jarrett (1945)Child prodigy performing classical and original compositions in grade schoolAbsorbs jazz and improvisation through the recordings of Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner, Bill Evans, Ahmad JamalJoined Art Blakeys group followed by Charles Lloyd in mid sixtiesJoined Miles Davis in 1970Launches his solo career: Facing You 1971Contrapuntal LH, linear RHInnovative contemporary harmonyComplex melodiesThe Kln ConcertPhotographic MemoryFormed his Jazz Standards Trio (w Jack DeJohnette, Gary Peacock) in early 1980s, only records live performances, rather than record in the studio, a belief that the audience is, an integral part of each and every performanceRubato introsLinear, lyrical right handExtensive improvisationSparse compingDelicate nuances in his touchSolo Solo improvisationFresh spontaneity to American standardsRecorded and performs classical; Bach, Mozart, and ShostakovichFree improvisationOne of the highest paid jazz musician, up to $250k per concertListening: Charles Lloyd Forest Flower (1965), Semblance, Bemsha Swing, Im Old Fashioned

Armando Anthony Chick Corea (1941- )Jazz, Classical, Rock, Fusion, Latin/FlamencoClean, clear attackPrecise, clean articulationPercussive touchComplex harmonic sensibility that combines jazz and latin and classical musicLyrical, Angular linesClassical ornamentationSwing is more on top/angularTimeline:1966: First LP under his own name, Tones for Jones Bones1971: RTF original compositions empsizae the fusion of jazz traditions with Brazilian and Latin-American music, Light As a Feather, Return to the seventh Galaxy1985: Chick Corea Elektric Band1990: Chick Corea Akoustic Band return to standardsClassical recording, many duets, solo projects, solo piano

McCoy Tyner (born 1936 in Philadelphia)Innovations:Quartal harmonyPentatonic permutationsModal improvisationsBlock chordsInfluences: McCoys decision to study piano was reinforced when he encountered the legendary bebop pianist Bud Powell, who was a neighbor of the familys. Another major influence on Tyners playing was Thelonious Monk, whose percussive attacks would inform Tyners signature styleTyner joined John Coltrane in 1961 for the classic album My Favorite Things, and remained at the core of what becae one of the most seminal groups in jazz history, The John Coltrane QuartetMore recently he has arranged for big bands, employed string arrangements, and even reinterpreted popular musicListening Examples: Walk Spirit Talk Spirit, JaCara, Giant Steps, Have You Met Miss Jones, Softly As A Morning Sunrise (1962), My Favorite Things, Shes Leaving Home, Will You Still Be Mine,compare to Cecil Taylor

Cecil Taylor (1929 in Long Island, NY)Pioneer of Free jazz: uncompromising figures of Avant-Garde abandons most conventional notions of rhythm and melodyGot masters degree from New England Conservatory for Classical PianoListening Examples: This Nearly Was Mine

William John Bill Evans (1929-1980)Listening Examples: Turn Out the stars, B minor waltz, On A Clear Day, Waltz for Debby, Displacement, My Bells (with orchestra), Funkallero, Your StoryClassically trainedConsidered the father of modern jazz pianoReform of chord voicing systemModern trio concept of equal interplay bass and drums being equal parts of the trio, no longer reduced to supportive roleRhythmic explorationsBrought new songs into jazz repertoireCommon chords and tensionsShort rhythmic motive, repeat and extend it with increasing complexity, end it in a burst of notes that resolved those complexitiesHe used complex relationships, adding to the swing that comes from the more usual duple/triple conflict in jazz by layering other duples and triples over the more basic ones. Transposition to add interest and contrastWhile Evans was open to new musical approaches that would not compromise his musical and artistic vision such as his occasional use of electric piano, and his brief associations with avant-garde composer George Allen RussellBill Evans is considered the most important jazz pianist of his generation and remains on of the most influentional musicians of the post-bop jazz pianoMusicians who played and recorded with Bill Evans often recognized him as the one who made the differenceHis inescapable influence on the very sound of jazz piano has touched virtually everybody of prominence in the field after him (as well as most of his contemporaries), and he remains a monumental model for jazz piano students everywhere

Gene Harris (1933-2000)The Tree Sounds, Ray Brown Trio, Philip Morris Big BandSoulful style influenced by Oscar Peterson and Junior ManceMost accessible and amiable of Jazz PianistsSuperior command of the blues and balladsListening: Blues for Sam Nassi, Summertime, You Make Me Feel So Young, Funky Genes

Monty Alexander (1944-)Jamaican roots with jazzHarmonizationInfluences: Oscar Peterson, Gene Harris and Nat King ColeListening: Forever lovin Jah, Jammin, Jamento, Smile, Im Walkin, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, JamentoDouble Trio format, Jazz trio combined with reggae trio, featuring guitarist/vocalist listening: Monty Alexander Jazz and Roots Jammin

Kenny Barron (1943-)Rich piano soundEven Rhythmic ArticulationBebop, post-bop and modernstylings drawn from McCoy Tyner and Herbie HancockFrequent use of Brazilian RhythmsListening: There is No Greater Love

Oscar Peterson (1925-2007)Classically Trained, brilliant technique, light, often compared to Art TatumSounds the same for 40 yearsSoloist, Accompanist, ComposerInexhaustible improviserSwing, Blues, Bebop11 Grammys, Ten Honorary Doctorates, Chancellor of York UniversityMusical Associates: Clark Terry, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Pass, Niels-Henning rsted Pedersen, Ray Brown, Ben Webster, Milt Jackson, Ed Thigpen, Dizzy Gillespie, Herb Ellis, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Stan Getz, Martin DrewInfluencesJames P. JohnsonTeddy WilsonNat King ColeArt TatumListening example: Pete Kellys Blues, Sweet Georgia Brown, Sandys Blues, Woody-N-You, Corcovado, Hymn to Freedom, 52nd Street

Red Garland (1923-1984)Hardbop pianist born in Dallas TexasDisctinctive shimmering sound, hard bop lines, block chordsHis main influences were Count Basie and Nat King Cole, from whom he drew lessons in touch, phrasing and conception. He also learned from James P. Johnson, Luckey Roberts, Teddy Wilson, Bud Powell, and Art TatumGarlands Sound block chordConstructed of three notes in the right hand and four notes in the left hand, with the right hand one octave above the left. The right hand played the melody in octaves with a perfect 5th placed in the middle of the octaveListening: If I Were A Bell, Willow Weep for Me, Stompin At The Savoy

Hampton Hawes (1928-1977)Anchored in chord-change based jazzWest Coast and funk-jazz or rhythm schoolGot in jail for heroin addiction, the only person who got presidential pardon by John F. Kennedy 6 months laterListening: Hamps Paws, Blues The Most

Jess Dionisio Chucho ValdsStarts his first jazz trio at the age of 16Founded Irakere with Paquito DRivera in 1972 while playing with the Orquestra Cubana de Musica ModernaAn incredibly inventive and fluid pianist, Chucho combines the influences of Art Tatum, Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner with Afro-Cuban roots and a blazing technique, Avant Garde pianist Cecil TaylorHe writes most of the bands compositions and arrangements and has released dozens of albums, both with Irakere and as a solo performerRevered as a national treasure in Cuba, the Duke Ellington of CubaWhen you hear current Cuban jazz or popular music, whether Gonzalo Rubalcaba, N.G. La Banda or Charanga Habaera, you hear the influence of Chucho Valds and IrakereListening: A Mi Madre, Chucho s Steps