Monday, December 3, 2007

Jazz and Blues 1950's-today



Jazz faced harsh competition from other areas of entertainment in 1950. During this time television was becoming more popular and began introducing new forms of music. Jazz audiences began to diminish and Jazz music almost ended. Jazz not only suffered from the popularity of television at this time, in 1960 Rock and Roll also began to replace Jazz especially in the record industry.

In 1970 the fad of Disco dance did not help Jazz music either. Many Jazz artists crossed over to more popular venues. During these times Jazz was influenced by Cool, Classic, and Hard bop. Cool was developed from the late 40’s and 50’s Bop. Cool is a combination of Bop and Swing with harmonic tones and softened dynamics, creating what is now known as Cool Jazz. Hard bop was influenced by Cool sounds of West Coast Jazz. Hard bop became known as Modal Jazz or Soul Jazz in the mid 1960’s.

During 1980 Jazz continued to be influenced. The main influence on Jazz music at the time was retro surfacing of its own roots and styles. During this time young players revitalized the spirits of Jazz. The US, and Europe also increased the pursuits of Jazz. The styles of Jazz that evolved during this time were Afro-Latin Jazz and Acid Jazz. Acid jazz was the first jazz term to be coined by a disc jockey rather than by a musician. It was inspired initially by listening to records rather than to live musicians. The term Afro-Latin covers a huge variety of music, it includes a combination of elements of African styles with Spanish, Portuguese, and even French cultures.

Modern Jazz is influenced by great improvisational masters of the past and by combining older jazz styles such as bop, free, fusion, with newer comtemporary musical styles such as pop music, funk, and rock. This creates jazz in a new modern style.


Sources:
http://www.ask.com/pictures?qsrc=2058&q=aretha+franklin&o=0&l=dir http://www.raycharles.com/the_man_pictures.html

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