JAZZ: AN EVOLVING ART FORMJazz is a truly American musical form—and many people consider it one of America’s best contributions to the world of music. Jazz first emerged about 100 years ago in the American South, most distinctly in New Orleans, Louisiana. This seaport city served as home to people of African, French, English, Caribbean, and other backgrounds. It also became a melting pot for music from these many traditions. African American musicians fused elements of ragtime, blues, classical, and big brass band sounds to create this distinct new type of music.

After the first jazz recordings were made in 1917, jazz spread across the nation. It evolved over decades, helped along by influential musicians. In the 1920s, trumpeter Louis Armstrong introduced improvised solos and Duke Ellington popularized big band jazz; in the 1930s, people began dancing to jazz music, thanks to the upbeat sounds of Benny Goodman’s and Count Basie’s swing music. Charlie Parker’s groundbreaking bebop of the 1940s led to Miles Davis’ complex “cool” style in the 1950s. Jazz moved into the 1960s with pioneers like John Coltrane and his modal jazz; the next decades brought more change—from fusion, which brought together multiple styles, to the neo-classical leanings of Wynton Marsalis and other “young lions.” Jazz continues to evolve today—building on its vast legacy of innovation and experimentation.

Photo by Lisa Luevanos

Percussionist Machito Jr. used to play alongside Gillespie in his original 1975 Afro-Cuban band.

© All rights reserved by ID & A

DIZZY GILLESPIE™

AFRO CUBAN EXPERIENCE

A PERFORMANCE AND DEMONSTRAT ION

FEATURING MACHITO JR.

David M. Rubenstein Chairman

Deborah F. Rutter President

Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education and Jazz Programming

Jason Moran Artistic Director for Jazz

Jazz Performance/Demonstrations are made possible by Kaplan, Inc.; Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; and the U.S. Department of Education.

Major support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program.

Education and related artistic programs are made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.

www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org

Cuesheets are produced by ArtsEdgE, an education program of the Kennedy Center.

Learn more about education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education

The contents of this Cuesheet have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

© 2015 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

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DIZZY GILLESPIE: MUSICAL AMBASSADORUnder the sponsorship of the U.S. State Department, Gillespie became jazz music’s first musical ambassador. He traveled to Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, always returning home from these tours inspired and full of fresh musical ideas. He embraced all musical forms and styles, but with a strong sense of pride in his own African American heritage, he was particularly interested in exploring those with deep roots and ties to Africa such as the music of Cuba and other Latin American countries.

THE EMERGENCE OF AFRO-CUBAN JAZZIn 1947, Gillespie was introduced to Afro-Cuban percussionist Chano Pozo. Although the two were not familiar with each other’s music, they began collaborations on a new musical sound—what later became known as Afro-Cuban jazz. This new style fused together elements from both American jazz and traditional Afro-Cuban music, such as jazz-based harmonies and techniques and Afro-Cuban rhythms and instruments. Afro-Cuban jazz was an immediate success with audiences, attracting people to dance to its unique sounds and quick, complex rhythms.

About the Performance

Here are some key jazz terms you should know and different elements to listen for…Fusion The blending of jazz with other musical styles Harmony Two or more notes played together that create a compatible or pleasant soundImprovisation Creating music or song spontaneously, a technique that requires great musical skill and creativityMelody The tune of a piece of music created by a series of notes; most often recognizable as the main tune you hum or sing along with in a musical work

Rhythm A strong, repeated pattern of sound

MEET THE DIZZY GILLESPIE™ AFRO CUBAN EXPERIENCEUnder the direction of Gillespie’s long-time bassist John Lee, the ensemble features a variety of musicians from today’s jazz scene, some who also worked with Gillespie plus newer talents:

John Lee, bass

Freddie Hendrix, trumpet and flugelhorn

Sharel Cassity, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, and flutes

Yotam, guitars

Robby Ameen, drums

Special Guest: Machito Jr., percussion

Bandmembers from left to right: Robby Ameen, John Lee, Yotam, Freddie Hendrix, Sharel Cassity, and Machito Jr.

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Listen Up!To learn more about jazz visitwww.kennedy-center.org/artsedgeand click the tag “jazz”

Born in 1917, Gillespie was known for his horn-rimmed glasses, and the swollen, puffed out cheeks he made when playing his trumpet.

Jazz legend John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie was more than a trumpet virtuoso, bandleader, and composer. He was a musical pioneer and innovator beloved by listeners and colleagues alike for his enormous talent and light-hearted personality. His life’s work had a profound impact on 20th century music including the development of the Afro-Cuban musical tradition. The Dizzy Gillespie™ Afro Cuban Experience is a jazz ensemble working to continue the legacy of both the music and the personality of this great jazz master.

THE CONCERT PROGRAMIn this session, the Dizzy Gillespie™ Afro Cuban Experience introduces the style and rhythms of Afro-Cuban jazz.

Photo by William Gottlieb

Tempo The speed of the music

DIZZY GILLESPIE: MUSICAL AMBASSADORUnder the sponsorship of the U.S. State Department, Gillespie became jazz music’s first musical ambassador. He traveled to Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, always returning home from these tours inspired and full of fresh musical ideas. He embraced all musical forms and styles, but with a strong sense of pride in his own African American heritage, he was particularly interested in exploring those with deep roots and ties to Africa such as the music of Cuba and other Latin American countries.

THE EMERGENCE OF AFRO-CUBAN JAZZIn 1947, Gillespie was introduced to Afro-Cuban percussionist Chano Pozo. Although the two were not familiar with each other’s music, they began collaborations on a new musical sound—what later became known as Afro-Cuban jazz. This new style fused together elements from both American jazz and traditional Afro-Cuban music, such as jazz-based harmonies and techniques and Afro-Cuban rhythms and instruments. Afro-Cuban jazz was an immediate success with audiences, attracting people to dance to its unique sounds and quick, complex rhythms.

About the Performance

Here are some key jazz terms you should know and different elements to listen for…Fusion The blending of jazz with other musical styles Harmony Two or more notes played together that create a compatible or pleasant soundImprovisation Creating music or song spontaneously, a technique that requires great musical skill and creativityMelody The tune of a piece of music created by a series of notes; most often recognizable as the main tune you hum or sing along with in a musical work

Rhythm A strong, repeated pattern of sound

MEET THE DIZZY GILLESPIE™ AFRO CUBAN EXPERIENCEUnder the direction of Gillespie’s long-time bassist John Lee, the ensemble features a variety of musicians from today’s jazz scene, some who also worked with Gillespie plus newer talents:

John Lee, bass

Freddie Hendrix, trumpet and flugelhorn

Sharel Cassity, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, and flutes

Yotam, guitars

Robby Ameen, drums

Special Guest: Machito Jr., percussion

Bandmembers from left to right: Robby Ameen, John Lee, Yotam, Freddie Hendrix, Sharel Cassity, and Machito Jr.

© A

ll rig

hts r

eser

ved

by ID

& A

Listen Up!To learn more about jazz visitwww.kennedy-center.org/artsedgeand click the tag “jazz”

Born in 1917, Gillespie was known for his horn-rimmed glasses, and the swollen, puffed out cheeks he made when playing his trumpet.

Jazz legend John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie was more than a trumpet virtuoso, bandleader, and composer. He was a musical pioneer and innovator beloved by listeners and colleagues alike for his enormous talent and light-hearted personality. His life’s work had a profound impact on 20th century music including the development of the Afro-Cuban musical tradition. The Dizzy Gillespie™ Afro Cuban Experience is a jazz ensemble working to continue the legacy of both the music and the personality of this great jazz master.

THE CONCERT PROGRAMIn this session, the Dizzy Gillespie™ Afro Cuban Experience introduces the style and rhythms of Afro-Cuban jazz.

Photo by William Gottlieb

Tempo The speed of the music

JAZZ: AN EVOLVING ART FORMJazz is a truly American musical form—and many people consider it one of America’s best contributions to the world of music. Jazz first emerged about 100 years ago in the American South, most distinctly in New Orleans, Louisiana. This seaport city served as home to people of African, French, English, Caribbean, and other backgrounds. It also became a melting pot for music from these many traditions. African American musicians fused elements of ragtime, blues, classical, and big brass band sounds to create this distinct new type of music.

After the first jazz recordings were made in 1917, jazz spread across the nation. It evolved over decades, helped along by influential musicians. In the 1920s, trumpeter Louis Armstrong introduced improvised solos and Duke Ellington popularized big band jazz; in the 1930s, people began dancing to jazz music, thanks to the upbeat sounds of Benny Goodman’s and Count Basie’s swing music. Charlie Parker’s groundbreaking bebop of the 1940s led to Miles Davis’ complex “cool” style in the 1950s. Jazz moved into the 1960s with pioneers like John Coltrane and his modal jazz; the next decades brought more change—from fusion, which brought together multiple styles, to the neo-classical leanings of Wynton Marsalis and other “young lions.” Jazz continues to evolve today—building on its vast legacy of innovation and experimentation.

Photo by Lisa Luevanos

Percussionist Machito Jr. used to play alongside Gillespie in his original 1975 Afro-Cuban band.

© All rights reserved by ID & A

DIZZY GILLESPIE™

AFRO CUBAN EXPERIENCE

A PERFORMANCE AND DEMONSTRAT ION

FEATURING MACHITO JR.

David M. Rubenstein Chairman

Deborah F. Rutter President

Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education and Jazz Programming

Jason Moran Artistic Director for Jazz

Jazz Performance/Demonstrations are made possible by Kaplan, Inc.; Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; and the U.S. Department of Education.

Major support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program.

Education and related artistic programs are made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.

www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org

Cuesheets are produced by ArtsEdgE, an education program of the Kennedy Center.

Learn more about education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education

The contents of this Cuesheet have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

© 2015 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

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UID

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