MUS 122 Midterm Review: Chapters 1-3

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Questions and Answers

Which musician is known as the 'mother of the blues'?

Freddie Keppard

Jelly Roll Morton

Ma’ Rainey (correct)

Bessie Smith

Who is recognized as the first great jazz musician?

Joe 'King' Oliver

James Reese Europe

Scott Joplin

Buddy Bolden (correct)

Which of the following artists composed pieces in both ragtime and jazz?

Nick LaRocca

James P. Johnson (correct)

Coleman Hawkins

Bing Crosby

Which band is credited with recording the first jazz record?

Original Dixieland Jazz Band Signup and view all the answers

Who was known for their use of mutes and taught Louis Armstrong?

Joe 'King' Oliver Signup and view all the answers

Which musician is referred to as the father of the blues?

W.C. Handy Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first full-time vocalist with a jazz orchestra?

Bing Crosby Signup and view all the answers

Which musician is known for being one of the first major tenor saxophone soloists in jazz?

Coleman Hawkins Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of Country Blues?

Typically features solo male performers with loose form Signup and view all the answers

Which style of music is characterized by the use of nonsense words in improvisation?

Scat singing Signup and view all the answers

How did Louis Armstrong influence the evolution of jazz?

By emphasizing individual solos over group improvisation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a defining feature of New Orleans Style jazz?

Collective improvisation and polyphony Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of swing music during the Swing Era?

High energy dance music with steady pulse Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Cotton Club play in the context of jazz?

It served as a location for Duke Ellington's band to perform during the late 1920s. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between Classic/Vaudeville Blues and Country Blues?

Vaudeville Blues is more orchestrated and often includes female vocalists. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'shuffle rhythm' refer to in jazz?

A rhythmic feel that hinges on a swing feel Signup and view all the answers

Which figure is known for leading the first integrated jazz band to tour?

Benny Goodman Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a 'head arrangement' in a big band?

To develop unstructured, rif-based melodies learned by ear Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following styles is associated with the term 'ragged time'?

Ragtime Signup and view all the answers

What does 'collective improvisation' involve in a jazz context?

Multiple players improvising simultaneously Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Congo Square in New Orleans music history?

It allowed slaves to gather for music and dance, fostering cultural exchanges. Signup and view all the answers

Which musical concept refers to the quality of sound that distinguishes different voices or instruments?

Timbre Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Blues and Jazz Pioneers

Bessie Smith: Renowned classic and vaudeville blues singer, influential in the development of the genre.
Ma’ Rainey: Known as the 'Mother of the Blues,' a classic blues singer who helped shape the genre.
Robert Johnson: Iconic country blues singer and guitarist, celebrated for his profound impact on the blues.
Frank and Irene Castle: White couple who sanitized popular dances for white audiences, facilitating the mainstream spread of ragtime.
James Reese Europe: Black bandleader and composer, collaborated with the Castles to popularize Black music.
Buddy Bolden: First significant jazz musician, a cornetist without any recordings to document his contributions.
Scott Joplin: The most famous ragtime composer, pivotal in the genre's establishment.
Joe ‘King’ Oliver: Influential cornetist and bandleader who mentored Louis Armstrong, known for mute techniques.
Freddie Keppard: Cornet player who refused to record first jazz music due to fears of idea theft.
Nick LaRocca: Cornetist from the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, controversially claimed to have invented jazz.
Jelly Roll Morton: An early ragtime and jazz pianist recognized for his role in notating arrangements in jazz.
Paul Whiteman: Described as the 'King of Jazz,' merged jazz with symphonic forms; hired Fletcher Henderson as an arranger.
Original Dixieland Jazz Band: First jazz band to record an album in 1917, comprised solely of white musicians.
James P. Johnson: Recognized as the father of stride piano, known for compositions like 'Carolina Shout'.
Sidney Bechet: A pioneering soprano saxophonist and clarinetist, key figure in New Orleans jazz.
W.C. Handy: Often called the 'Father of the Blues,' known for 'St. Louis Blues', and was inspired by the blues heard at a railway station.

Genres and Styles

Country Blues: Defined by a solo male performer, loose form with three-line stanzas recounting personal narratives.
Classic/Vaudeville Blues: Female vocalists supported by small bands, followed a strict 12-bar form, featured in theaters.
Scat Singing: Vocal technique characterized by improvisation using nonsensical syllables.
Syncopation: Rhythmic structure that emphasizes off-beats, often creating a tension against the primary meter.
Collective Improvisation: Multiple musicians improvising together to create a unique sound.
New Orleans Style Jazz: Emphasized polyphony and collective improvisation, emerging in the early 1900s.

Influential Figures and Development

Great Migration: Movement of African Americans from the South to the North, promoting jazz's popularity nationwide.
Prohibition Era: Resulted in increased demand for live music in speakeasies, affecting jazz's evolution.
Stride Piano: Developed from ragtime, featuring alternating bass notes and syncopated melodies.
Tin Pan Alley: Collection of composers in NYC shaping popular music in the early 1900s.

Swing Era and Evolution

Louis Armstrong: Multifaceted talent known for vocals and cornet; pivotal in establishing the blues as jazz's harmonic base and shifting focus to individual solos.
Hot Five and Hot Seven: Armstrong-led ensembles that revolutionized jazz with a focus on solo performance rather than group improvisation.
Swing (1935-1945): Dominant popular music genre characterized by big bands, high-energy rhythms, and improvisational freedom.
Lindy Hop: Dance style created in the swing era, encouraging individual expression through improvisation.
Chick Webb: Notable drummer and bandleader at the Savoy Ballroom, playing a crucial role in the swing era.
Head Arrangement: Informal big band arrangements learned by ear, allowing for improvisation and audience engagement.

Key Collaborations and Contributions

Benny Goodman: Clarinetist and swing bandleader known for leading the first integrated jazz band tours.
Teddy Wilson: Pianist in Goodman's Trio, recognized as the first Black musician in an integrated group.
John Hammond: Jazz patron who significantly supported various musicians and ensembles throughout the genre’s development.
Other notable bandleaders: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, and Cab Calloway, each contributing uniquely to the evolution of jazz.

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Description

Prepare for your MUS 122 midterm with this review covering the key figures and themes from chapters 1-3. Explore the contributions of influential blues singers such as Bessie Smith, Ma' Rainey, and Robert Johnson, as well as the impact of figures like Frank and Irene Castle on mainstream culture. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of early 20th-century music history.