Big Band Era

1. Big Band Era From Territory bands to the big stage

2. Big Band

3. Territory bands Bands that toured in specific regions of the United States “top 40” bands of the era Traveling got too expensive Musicians found a “home” Big bands started to become established in certain areas Big cities following the Mississippi Started different styles of jazz music pertaining to the regions they were in Big Band

4. Dance craze of the 1930’s and 1940’s Extremely popular during the war eras ( WWII) Started after the Dixieland era, bigger band, bigger sound Musicians started to become more popular, wanted the spotlight Count Basie- Kansas City Duke Ellington- New York/DC Big Band

5. Big bands were divided into 2 groups those that inspired improvisation and those that did not Solos became important to music Improvisation- playing a made up solo over chord changes Chord Changes- the outline of a song Dixieland bands wanted a bigger sound so they added more musicians. More musicians meant bigger sound and the ability to play new and different music. Big bands were able to play more music, faster music, used for dances and celebrations Big Band

6. New York (52nd street) became popular hang out for jazz musicians and big bands Cotton Club was the most famous jazz club In later years Birdland and Village Vanguard With the ease of restrictions in racial segregation black and white musicians were able to perform together thus bands were able to be larger Big Bands

7. 4 trumpets 4 trombones 5 saxophones ( 2 alto, 2 tenor, 1 bari) Saxes doubled on flute and clarinet as well rhythm section: drum kit, bass, used double bass guitar, accoustic piano Make up of Big Bands

8. Big bands created “swing” a different way to play music that varied greatly to other styles of music. This created a “hot” feel Influential big bands: Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington Big bands also created the start of the jazz vocalist Influential jazz vocalists: Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, Frank Sinatra. Big Band

9. Scat Singing- singing syllables instead of words Louis Armstrong Ella Fitzgerald Most jazz musicians of later years got their start during the big band era (made name for themselves) Became famous and branched out on their own Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Jazz Vocalists Frank Sinatra Big Bands

10. King of Swing- Benny Goodman Duke Ellington Count Basie The Prez Lester Young Lady Day Billie Holiday The First Lady of Jazz- Ella Fitzgerald The Divine One- Sarah Vaughn Big Band Royalty

11. Decline of the Big Band era started with the Great Depression of the 1930’s Was too expensive to keep a large band together. Big bands began to fade due to economic reasons, ballrooms started to close, small clubs began to open, different types of media developed. As big bands started to fold due to economic challenges the jazz combo evolved Big band musicians went on to start their own groups and solo careers. WWII created a renewed interest in the big band sound as well as the end of the depression In the late 40’s the creation of Be-Bop created a new style of jazz thus the influence of the big band was lessened Big Bands

12. Glenn Miller Big Band was used for entertainment and morale for troops during WWII Benny Goodman first jazz group to racially integrate their group Lionel Hampton-vibes Benny Goodman-created swing Most musicians got their start with a big band Once they got “famous” or wanted to branch out they left Jazz singers went solo after making a name for themselves Big Bands

13. Louis Armstrong • Most famous/popular jazz musician • Nicknamed Satchmo • Jazz musician, singer, trumpet player, entertainer • Most famous jazz musician of the 20th century • Fame as a trumpet player, band leader, scat singer, civil right supporter • Helped to create scat singing • Featured in several Hollywood movies (Hello Dolly)

14. Born in New Orleans, first gained fame in the Dixieland era Played with Joe King Oliver, Kid Ory Started his “hot” and all-star bands in 1920’s 1922 left for Chicago with Oliver 1924 wanted to branch out on his own so moved to New York Joined Fletcher Henderson 1925- Chicago- started recording under his own name using his “hot” bands Started touring all over the State and Europe 1943 Settled in Queens continued touring Played an average of 300 gigs a year 1950 cut his big band down to 6 members and went back to Dixieland style 1964 biggest selling album and highest commercial success with Hello Dolly Louis Armstrong

15. Toured Europe, Asia, and Africa as a US state Department Ambassador of Music 1971 died of heart attack age 69 Major supporter of MLK and was supporter of the Civil Right movement He was one of the first entertainers to speak up about political causes. He wanted to work behind the scenes not be in front of the cause Was extremely generous with his money supporting different causes First to popularize scat singing Always played with most influential musicians Recorded with Ella Fitzgerald for Verve records. Some of the most influential jazz recordings Most famous songs are What a Wonderful World, Ain’t Misbehavin, and Stompin at the Savoy Louis Armstrong

16. 1964 He knocked the Beatles off the billboard carts with Hello Dolly 1968 reached number 1 with What a Wonderful World Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, star on the Hollywood walk of fame, Grammy awards, jazz hall of fame, Airport in New Orleans is named after him Influenced every musician to come after him. Major influence on trumpet players Major influence on African American musicians and politicians Louis Armstrong

17. Fletcher Henderson • Jazz pianist, arranger/composer • Led one of the first successful big bands • 1922 formed his own band in Georgia “Best colored band in the South” • Worked for Black Swan records • 1924 Louis Armstrong joined his band

18. 1930’s- started arranging music for his band 1934 started arranging music for Benny Goodman 1939 joined Benny Goodman as player and arranger then just arranger Famous for his big band arrangements still being performed today Hired by Duke Ellington as an arranger when his band played at the cotton club Charts are still being played today Fletcher Henderson

19. Benny Goodman • 1909-1986 • King of Swing • Band leader, clarinet player • Born in Chicago • Started playing professional at 16 • 1926- His first recordings

20. Benny Goodman • Parents were blue collar working class citizens • Father urged him to quit playing and get an “honest Job” • Father never saw him play professionally • 1932 formed his own band in New York City

21. 1934- Lets Dance radio show 1935- Palomar Ball room Gene Krupa 1937- movie Hollywood Hotel 1938- January 16th Carnegie Hall (Sing, Sing, Sing) 1950- LP recording of this concert became the first million selling lp 1952 broke up big band due to economic reasons Benny Goodman achieved the same success with jazz that Elvis did with rock and roll 1936 Goodman added Lionel Hampton on vibes to form the Benny Goodman Quartet first musicians to racially integrate their band. 10 years before Jackie Robinson entered the Major Leagues. Benny Goodman

22. On January 16, 1938, the Benny Goodman band played at Carnegie Hall. First jazz band to play at Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall had been the nation's greatest temple of musical art, home of the New York Philharmonic and scene of every important artist's debut Many of those who played with him as sidemen later achieved fame as leaders of their own bands, soloists, actors, actresses, musicians for movies and television Huge impact on popular music and the importance of the clarinet in both jazz and classical music. Thousands of youngsters throughout the world were influenced to play the clarinet through listening to Benny Goodman Benny Goodman

23. Gene Krupa • considered to be the first drum "soloist." • father of the modern drumset • help with developing the modern hi-hat cymbals. • the first drummer to record with a bass drum

24. Gene Krupa • First real gig was with Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller, performed in the pit band of the new George Gershwin play "Strike Up the Band. • Benny Goodman urged Gene to join his band with the promise that it would be a real jazz band. • Gene's classic performance on "Sing Sing Sing" has been heralded as the first extended drum solo in jazz

25. Left Goodman on March 3, 1938 Started his own band authored his own book titled "The Gene Krupa Drum Method"(1938) began an annual Drum Contest(1941). Louie Bellson was first winner Bellson went on to become a famous jazz drummer briefly joined up with Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey before re-forming his own band big band was one of the first in the mid-forties to introduce Bop arrangements with the help of Gerry Mulligan and the playing of trumpeter Red Rodney. Gene Krupa

26. The Gene Krupa Trio was one of the first acts recruited by Norman Granz for his "Jazz At The Philharmonic" The JATP dates introduced the famous "Drum Battles" with Buddy Rich in October of 1952 In 1959, "The Gene Krupa Story." The film was very loose in the facts of Gene's career but did feature an excellent soundtrack recorded by Krupa himself. Gene's last commercial recording was in November of 1972 Gene's final public performance was with a reunion of the old Goodman Quartet on August 18, 1973. Gene died October 16, 1973 of a heart attack Gene Krupa

27. Glenn Miller • First gig was with Ben Pollack’s band that included Benny Goodman • 1928 freelance musician in New York played with Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, and young singer named Bing Crosby • April 1935, Glenn Miller recorded, for the first time, under his own name.

28. His band emphasized the clarinet playing the melodic line while the tenor sax plays the same note, and supported by three other saxophone Tuxedo Junction, Moonlight Serenade,and Pennsylvania 6-5000 were some of his songs In the Mood was his most famous song 1941 left for Hollywood to record for and make movies Chattanooga Choo Choo becomes first million selling album for Miller Sun Valley Serenade and Orchestra Wives were movies the Glenn Miller Orchestra were in On October 7, 1942, Alton Glenn Miller reported for induction into the Army assigned to the Army Specialist Corps Glenn Miller

29. appointment as a Captain to modernize the army band and ultimately improve the morale of the men transferred into the Army Air Corps, where he ultimately organized the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band engaged in over 800 performances 500 were broadcasts heard by millions First professional musician inducted into the military to serve as military band leader and musicians for troop morale 1944 Stationed in London Six week tour of Europe, was to be stationed in Paris Glenn Miller

30. Miller decided to go ahead, in order to make the proper arrangements for the group’s arrival December 15th, Glenn Miller boarded a transport plane to Paris Bad weather made communication difficult Plane crashes early morning of December 15th Plane and body was never recovered 1945 Last recording of The Glenn Miller orchestra was released 1954- The Glenn Miller story starring Jimmy Stewart 2003- Glenn Miller received Grammy Lifetime Achievement award posthumously Glenn Miller

31. Duke Ellington • Band Leader, piano player, arranger • One of the most popular most successful big band leaders of all time • Famous for is arrangements and is personality

32. Duke Ellington • Born in Washington D.C. • Began performing when he was 17 • 1923 moved to New York City • 1927- House band for the Cotton Club

33. One of two of the most famous big bands (Count Basie) used the best musicians from around the country One of the most famous African American musicians and celebrities Arranged for the musician not the band which gave his band a distinct sound 1940s was peak success Arranged music for bands and movies Was key figure in symphonic big band jazz Composed jazz suites and not just simple “charts” 1943-Black, Brown, and Beige Most famous songs were Satin Doll and Take the A train, Mood Indigo 1956- Newport Jazz Festival revived popularity 1957- Such Sweet thunder- based on Shakespeare and dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II 1965- Pulitzer prize winner Duke Ellington

34. 1966- Sacred concert combination of jazz music with Christian readings 1969-presidential Medal of Freedom Multi Grammy award winner 1973 Legion of Honor by the French government Band still touring today Major influence on jazz music and musicians Created new forms of jazz music and jazz arrangements One of the most influential musicians of the 20th century Duke Ellington

35. Cotton Club

36. One of the greatest jazz clubs in New York Operated during and after prohibition Jack Johnson (heavy Weight champ) owned the club Run by Mob in 1923 Helped to launch the careers of many of the big band era musicians Ellington was the house band from 1927-1931 Recorded over 100 songs there House band was required to perform every night, especially weekends New songs performed every concert. Cab Calloway took over as house band after Ellington Minnie the Moocher Closed in 1936- after race riots in Harlem Re-opened on Broadway Closed for good in 1940 The Cotton Club

37. Count Basie • Band leader, piano player • One of the best and most influential band leaders and musicians of all time • 1924 toured with the TOBA • 1928 moved to Kansas City joined the Blue Devils

38. Count Basie • Became piano player for Benny Moten jazz band • 1935- Became leader changed to Count Basie Big Band • Created the Kansas City style of jazz ( laid back jazz) • Always hired the best musicians available

39. Once you were a member of the Basie band you remained a member Players went on to start own careers but always returned to Basie band to play with them Launched careers of many famous musicians Influential to the start of the jazz singers Joe Williams, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald all got their start with the Basie Band Quincy Jones was trumpet player and arranger for the Basie band 1974 had cameo in Mel Brooks film Blazing Saddles Sammy Nestico, famous jazz arranger for Count Basie Freddie Green famous jazz guitarist One O’clock Jump, All of Me, April in Paris, Lil Darlin- most famous songs Count Basie

40. Created a new style of jazz called Kansas City Style. Off shoot of swing music where players “laid back” Famous for its rhythm section “Space” was important Horn players used riffs and motifs New style of piano playing called the Basie Style Stressed improvisation Count Basie

41. Lester Young • The Prez • Famous Tenor Sax player • One of the most influential saxophone players • Started playing in vaudeville and territory bands

42. Got his start in his father’s territory bands 1932 joined the Blue Devils Landed in Kansas City Played with King Oliver, Fletcher Henderson, and Count Basie 1934 joined the Count Basie Band This group would lead him to national attention and make him famous Nick name was given to him by friend Billie Holliday Was eccentric creating his own playing style and language for his friends Used to hold the horn out to his right when he played (like a flute) 1942 recorded with Nat King Cole 1943 inducted into the Army Black musicians were put into the regular army White musicians were put into military bands like Glenn Miller. Lester Young

43. Court- martial for various offenses 1945 dishonorably discharged 1946 JATP- jazz at the Philharmonic with Norman Granz Toured with them for 12 years 1950- Lester leaps in solo at Carnegie Hall 1952- Start of his drinking problem, started to affect his playing 1955- Hospital stays due to drinking and nervous breakdown By the late 50s drinking had taken a toll on him was unhealthy never ate, drank constantly could barely perform December 8 1957- The Sound of Jazz-Billie Holliday, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Gerry Mulligan, Roy Eldrige March 1959- final studio recording, European tour March 15th New York died age 49 Lester Young

44. Billie Holliday • 1915-1959 • Lady Day • One of the most influential jazz singers of all times • Major influence on modern day singers • Born in Philadelphia (mother was 13 at time of her birth) father was jazz guitarist • (Divorced early) • Began performing at an early age to provide money for the family

45. Billie Holliday • Early 1930 moved to New York • Father was absentee only showing up on rare occasions (shake down) • 1932 Discovered by John Hammond • 1933 first recording with Benny Goodman ( My Mother’s Son-In-Law) • November 23, 1934 Apollo Theater • Regular performer on 52nd street clubs

46. Her music had impeccable timing, nuanced phrasing, and emotional immediacy Worked with al the great artist became one of the greatest black singers of all time Became addicted to drugs starting at 13years old and bad addiction to heroin Cursed with bad abusive relationships most of her life Sang about her relationships in her songs Famous songs were God Bless the Child and Fine and Mellow Major influence on female singers from Janis Joplin to Madonna to present day singers May 1947 arrested for drug possession had cabaret card taken away for 12 years 1954 European tour was a huge success revamped her career Billie Holliday

47. Billie Holliday • March 1959- Final studio recording • May 31 1959 taken to hospital in New York for liver and heart problems • July 17 1959 died age 44 died from cirrhosis of the liver • When she died she had 70 cents in her bank account

48. Ella Fitzgerald • 1917-1996 • Lady Ella- First Lady of Jazz • Won 13 Grammy awards • National Medal of Art, Presidential medal of freedom • Influential jazz singer and innovator of scat singing • Orphaned at age 14 • Started singing career at age 16 • November 21, 1934- Apollo Theater

49. Ella Fitzgerald • Started singing with Chick Webb big band in 1935 • 1939- Took over after Webb’s death became Ella Fitzgerald and her famous orchestra • Solo career 1941 • Norman Granz created record company Verve records for her • Ella created Songbooks she recorded for the Verve Label • Toured all over the world promoting the songbook series

50. Ella Fitzgerald • Most famous collaborations are with Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie. • June 1974 combined concert at Caesars Palace was the top grossing concerts in Vegas of all time • Went to Broadway and grossed 2 million in 2 weeks • Was cursed with bad romances • Suffered from Diabetes and died from complications due to diabetes in 1996 • Major influence on female singers from all genres