| Hard
Bop - An extension of Bebop that was somewhat interrupted
by the Cool sounds of West Coast Jazz, Hard Bop melodies tend
to be more "soulful" than Bebop, borrowing at times
from Rhythm & Blues and even Gospel themes. The rhythm
section is sophisticated and more diverse than the Bop of
the 1940's. Pianist Horace Silver is known for his Hard Bop
innovations.
Bossa Nova - A blend of West Coast Cool, European
classical harmonies and seductive Brazilian samba rhythms,
Bossa Nova or more correctly "Brazilian Jazz", reached
the United States c.1962 (timeline). The subtle but hypnotic
acoustic guitar rhythms accent simple melodies sung in either
(or both) Portuguese or English. Pioneered by Brazilians'
Joao Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim, this alternative to
the 60's Hard Bop and Free Jazz styles, gained popular exposure
by West Coast players like guitarist Charlie Byrd & saxophonist
Stan Getz.
Modal - As smaller ensemble soloists became
increasingly hungry for new improvisational directives, some
players sought to venture beyond Western adaptation of major
and minor scales. Drawing from medieval church modes, which
used altered intervals between common tones, players found
new inspiration. Soloists could now free themselves from the
restrictions of dominant keys and shift the tonal centers
to form new harmonics within their playing. This became especially
useful with pianists and guitarists, as well as trumpet and
sax players. Pianist Bill Evans is noted for his Modal approach.
Free Jazz - Sometimes referred to as "Avante
Garde", true Free Jazz soloists shed even the ensemble
arrangement structure, giving for a totally "free"
impulse experience to the music. If Ornette Coleman was considered
the prophet of Free Jazz, then John Coltrane would surely
be it's leading disciple.
Soul Jazz - Derived from Hardbop, Soul Jazz
is perhaps the most popular Jazz style of the 1960's. Improvising
to chord progressions as with Bop, the soloist strives to
create an exciting performance. The ensemble of musicians
concentrates on a rhythmic groove centered around a strong
but varied bassline.
Groove - An off-shoot of Soul Jazz, Groove
draws its tones from the blues and focuses mainly on the rhythm.
Sometimes referred to as "Funk" it concentrates
on maintaining the continuous rhythm "hook" complimented
lightly by instrumental and sometimes lyrical ornaments.
Fusion - By the early 1970's, the term "Fusion"
had come to identity a mixture of Jazz improvisation with
the energy and new rhythms of Rock music. To the dismay of
many Jazz purists, some of Jazz most significant innovators
crossed over from the contemporary Hardbop into Fusion. Eventually
commercial influences succeeded in undermining its original
innovations. While it is arguable that this Fusion benefitted
the evolution of Rock, few of its influences remain in today's
Jazz.
Afro-Cuban Jazz - also known as Latin Jazz,
is a combination of Jazz improvising and highly infectious
rhythms. It can be traced to trumpeter-arranger Mario Bauza
and percussionist Chano Pozo who had a significant influence
on Dizzy Gillespie (among others) in the mid 1940s. Evolving
from it's early Bop centered roots, Afro-Cuban Jazz has become
a true fusion between North, South and Central America.
Post Bop - The terms Modern Mainstream or
Post Bop are used for almost any style that cannot be closely
associated with historical types of Jazz music. Starting in
1979, a new emergence of players hit the scene with a fresh
approach to the Hard Bop of the 1960s, but rather than take
it into the Groove and Funk rhythms that had evolved a generation
before, these "young lions" added the textures and
influences of the 1980s and 90s. Elements of Avant-Garde offer
soloists new exploratory directions while polyrhythmic beats
from Caribbean influences lend a wider diversity than previous
Bop music.
Acid Jazz - The term Acid Jazz is loosely
used to cover a wide range of music. Although it is not a
true style of Jazz music that has evolved from traditional
stems, it is too significant to ignore as a member of the
genre.
Smooth Jazz - Evolving from Fusion, but leaving
behind the energetic solos and dynamic crescendos, Smooth
Jazz emphasizes its polished side. Improvisation is also largely
ignored giving argument whether the term "Jazz"
can truly apply.
European - At the end of the 20th century,
many Scandinavian and French musicians, feeling that Mainstream
American Jazz expression had retreated into the past, began
creating a new style nicknamed "the European."
The
History Of Jazz | Guitars
- One For Each Style | The
State of Jazz | Styles
of Jazz Music - part 1 |
Styles
of Jazz Music - part 2 |
Jazz
Improvisation | London
Jazz Guide |
Top
places for Jazz in New Orleans |
Four
Jazz Artists On the Move |
