Chapter: Classic Jazz

Jazz before the end of World War II is often collectively referred to as Classic Jazz. This includes the New Orleans and Chicago "dixieland" styles as well as the music of the Swing Era. This chapter traces the origins of this music and discusses the styles of Classic Jazz.

A Jazz Improvisation Almanac
Unit: Jazz Styles

Sections:

Roots - The origins of jazz
Traditional Jazz - New Orleans and Chicago "dixieland" jazz
Piano Jazz - Stride and boogie woogie pianists
Swing - Big bands and small groups of the Swing Era

This is a preview of the educational program A Jazz Improvisation Almanac which is under development for the Outside Shore Music Online School. Feel free to browse this preview and learn what you can from it. For a more completed product, though, check out the original freely browsable jazz textbook, A Jazz Improvisation Primer.

The chapter discusses styles of jazz that originally became popular before World War II, and in particular, before the birth of bebop, which is often seen as a turning point in jazz history. Note that these older styles are far from dead. Many people still listen to and enjoy them, and many musicians continue to play in these styles. Even those who play primarily in more modern styles are influenced, at least indirectly, by these earlier styles.

Sections:

Roots - The origins of jazz
Traditional Jazz - New Orleans and Chicago "dixieland" jazz
Piano Jazz - Stride and boogie woogie pianists
Swing - Big bands and small groups of the Swing Era

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