A 19th-century African-American folk song with Biblical references, expressing sorrow and hope and combining African and European musical elements
What is the spiritual
100
Pianist and composer whose works, such as "Maple Leaf Rag," defined ragtime
Who is Scott Joplin
100
New Orleans cornetist, singer, and bandleader who revolutionized jazz improvisation and who was equally influential as an instrumentalist and as a singer
Who is Louis Armstrong
100
Listening 1
What is I Got Rhythm by George Gershwin
200
The first and most important note of a scale, often indicated by the Roman numeral I
What is tonic
200
The flexible approach to rhythm that is one of the main features of jazz; also a 1930s style of jazz performed by big bands
What is swing
200
A highly influential blues singer, known as the link between the early Mississippi blues and the modern Chicago blues; legend has it he sold his soul to the devil in exchange for guitar skills
Who is Robert Johnson
200
Virtuoso jazz pianist who revolutionized jazz piano in spite of having severely impaired vision
What is Art Tatum
200
Listening 2
What is Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin
300
The way in which the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements of music are woven together
What is texture
300
An early 20th-century, composed piano music featuring consistent syncopation of the melody against a steady duple meter
What is ragtime
300
Female blues and jazz singer who was the most successful black performing artist of her time but alcoholism and the Depression damaged her career; her duet with Louis Armstrong in "St. Louis Blues" is one of her most famous performances
Who is Bessie Smith
300
Clarinetist and bandleader who brought swing to national attention and was the first jazz musician to succeed with the classical repertory
Who is Benny Goodman
300
Listening 3
What is Sing Sing Sing by Benny Goodman
400
The way in which music is passed down from person to person
What is transmission
400
A style of jazz that developed in Chicago in the 1920s, primarily by white musicians, featuring a greater emphasis on solo improvisations
What is Dixieland
400
New Orleans cornetist and bandleader, famous for mentoring several prominent jazz musicians, most notably Louis Armstrong
Who is King Oliver
400
Pianist, arranger, composer, and bandleader who was the most prominent woman in early jazz
Who is Lil Hardin Armstrong
400
Listening 4
What is Taxi War Dance by Count Basie
500
A type of performance in which the music is created as it is being performed
What is improvisation
500
A style of jazz piano featuring a quick tempo and improvised melodies over a rhythmic left-hand ostinato; it influenced swing and rock & roll
What is boogie woogie
500
New Orleans clarinetist, who was the first virtuoso of the soprano sax
Who is Sidney Bechet
500
Drummer and bandleader who led the house band at the Savoy Ballroom in New York