Concert Review Paper Guidelines

Jazz Appreciation Homework Assignments

Chapter 1

What were the two direct (stylistic) predecessors of jazz?
Why did African-Americans in the North have a greater difficulty preserving their musical heritage?
Why did African-Americans in the South have an easier time preserving their musical traditions?
What is the link between the Ring Shout and Traditional West African Music?
Describe the African musical aesthetic.
Describe the difficulty one might encounter in attempting to transcribe (notate) Early African-American music.
Where was Congo Square (geographically)? What was its significance to the development of jazz?
Describe the differences between a Field Holler and a Work Song.
What was significant about Minstrel Music? Describe the positive and negative results of the existence of this musical form.
Describe the process of "ragging"?
Who was Scott Joplin? What was significant about his music?
Who was Bessie Smith? What was significant about her music?

Chapter 2

What is the origin of the word jazz
Where was Storyville (geographically) and what was the significance of this area to the development of jazz?
What social functions did bands in New Orleans provided music for?
Who was Buddy Bolden? What did he bring to the music?
What was unique about Sidney Bechet's playing? What did he bring to the music?
What was unique about Jelly Roll Morton? What did he bring to the music?
What was unique about King Oliver's playing? What did he bring to the music?
What was unique about Louis Armstrong's playing? What did he bring to the music?
What was the significance of the Harlem Renaissance?
What was significant about Fletcher Henderson's band?

Chapter 3

Why was the version of music played by swing bands not considered jazz.
How swing writers altered the melodies of popular songs?
How did the "rhythm section" change during the swing era with reference to bass, drums, and piano?
Describe the development of Count Basie's piano playing and band-leading.
Who was Lester Young? What made his style work? Who did he influence?
Who was Coleman Hawkins? What was unique about his playing? Who did he influence?
What four types of music did Ellington write?
Compare Charlie Christian and Freddie Green.
Describe Billie Holiday's singing style.
Describe Ella Fitzgerald's voice.