Early Jazz History Presentation by Chris Beaty-Visiting Professor at JVLMA

Jazz is a performance art – and very often a spontaneous art!

A few introductory comments

• Jazz has been around roughly 100 years but some of the elements of jazz have been around much longer

• The only way to truly understand music is to experience it!

• The jazz of today has only subtle similarities to the jazz of 100 years ago

Louis Armstrong – The first great soloist in jazz in the 1920’s

Defining Jazz? (It’s really difficult)

• Jazz is a 300 year + combination of influences including the music traditions of West Africa, Europe, and American popular music.

• Some people define jazz music as having improvisation and a “swing feel” but others disagree.

“Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your

horn.” Jazz great-Charlie Parker

• Jazz is a way of playing and interpreting the music.

• The Blues was, and still is, an important component of many jazz performances.

Yours truly at the University of Georgia (2010) performing “Turkish Blues”

Jazz Quartet- Tenor Saxophone, Piano, Bass and Drums

“Duke” Ellington (1897-1974)

• Wrote approximately 2000 works

• Born in Washington DC (first band called Washingtonians)

• Many consider Ellington to be the most important composer in jazz history!

• Led a big band for almost 56 years

• Received U.S. presidential Medal of Honor from Richard Nixon

• I will perform “In a Sentimental Mood”

Beaty House in New Mexico, USA