The Lively Arts Jazz Styles Checklist

New Orleans (1900s-1910s)

• Collective improvisation; frontline instrumentation featuring clarinet, cornet (or trumpet), and trombone

• Accent on every beat by rhythm section

• Influence of march rhythms

• Use of portable instruments such as banjo and tuba

Chicago (1920s) style represents a transitional period between New Orleans and Swing styles.

Swing (1930s)

• Singable melodies

• Music for dancing

• More emphasis on beats two and four

• Development of big band instrumentation

• Development of soloists

• Composers/arranger important

Bebop (1940s)

• Complicated melodies

• Faster tempos

• Quicker harmonic rhythm

• Virtuosic improvisation

• Standard tunes with new melodies

• Original compositions by performers

• Smaller ensembles

• Music for listening

Cool (1950s)

• Relaxed, understated, simpler melodies

• Coloristic orchestration

• New instrumental colors such as french horn, flute

• Forms from classical music

• Modal influences

• Use of softer dynamics

Hard Bop (1950s-1960s) represents a reaction to some elements of the cool style.

Free (1960s on)

• Less formal structure

• Free tonality

• Collective improvisation

• Disintegration of meter, beat, symmetry

• Influence of music from other cultures

• Extreme intensity

• Extension of musical sound into realm of noise

Jazz has evolved through these styles within the short span of a century. As a result, many musicians have contributed to several styles of jazz. Musicians are now drawing upon all styles in the evolution of jazz in creating further developments of this unique music.

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