Theory
The most important chord changes in jazz (think Ms Loran’s car)!
What is a ii-V-I?
This big band leader was also a great pianist, composer, and arranger. His band famously played many of his jazz suites, including “The Far East Suite”, “The Nutcracker Suite”, and “The Queen’s Suite”. He also composed the music for the film “Anatomy of a Murder”.
Who is Duke Ellington?
This saxophonist, hailing from Aurora, Colorado, recorded the parts for the character Dorothea Williams in the Pixar movie ”Soul”.
Who is Tia Fuller?
Mary Lou Williams was a great composer, arranger, performer, and educator. She played this instrument with many different groups, and even mentored people like Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, and more!
What is the piano?
This jazz singer and trumpet player is featured in this recording. No points unless his name is pronounced correctly!
Who is Louis Armstrong?
This type of rhythm is where swung 8th notes come from.
What is 8th note triplets?
This is the most common number of people in a jazz big band.
What is 17?
This Super Bowl rapper has sampled jazz, and even recorded with some jazz musicians on his quintessential 2015 album.
Who is Kendrick Lamar?
This famous lady was nicknamed many things, like the “Queen of Jazz”, ”First Lady of Swing”, and more. She was also close friends with Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s!
Who is Ella Fitzgerald?
This instrument, played here by Nat Adderley, is similar to a trumpet, but is more conical and has a mellower tone.
What is the cornet?
This scale degree, found commonly in the blues scale (though not the minor pentatonic scale), is called the “blue note”.
What is the #4 (or #11)?
Who is Glenn Miller?
This jazz pianist composed and recorded the music for the original Charlie Brown cartoons with his trio.
Who is Vince Guaraldi?
Nicknamed “Lady Day”, this singer sung about “Strange Fruit” and a “Blue Moon”.
Who is Billie Holiday?
This style of jazz music (heard here) is known for it’s fast speed, interesting harmony, and tricky, angular melodies.
What is bebop?
A tune which “borrows” chord changes from another song but has a completely new melody.
What is a contrefact?
In a standard Count Basie style blues chart, this section usually happens between the two solo sections, and features a particular group.
What is the sax soli?
This bandleader was the first jazz musician to perform with his ensemble at Carnegie Hall.
Who is Benny Goodman?
Alice Coltrane, married to John Coltrane, was an amazing pianist, composer, bandleader, and spiritual leader, as well as being virtuosic at this instrument, which is fairly rare in jazz.
What is the harp?
This combo featured many big names through the years, including Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, and Lee Morgan. They recorded many tunes, like “Moanin” and this one.
Who are Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers?
A way to make simple chord changes more interesting. For example, instead of C-7–F7–Bbmaj7 try F#-7–B7–Bbmaj7
What is a tritone substitution?
This modern jazz composer and big band leader has won 7 Grammys and been nominated 14 times! Her latest wins were for her ensemble’s album “Data Lords” and her original composition ”Sputnik”.
Who is Maria Schneider?
This bebop musician ran for president as an independent write-in in 1964. He planned to make many other famous jazz musicians cabinet members if elected.
Who is Dizzy Gillespie?
This big band was the very first all-woman large jazz ensemble! They were formed in 1937 and were also completely integrated (included women of different races).
Who are the International Sweethearts of Rhythm?
This specially named set of chord changes came from an old standard written by George Gershwin. Many people wrote new melodies that are often played, such as this tune—Oleo by Sonny Rollins.
What are Rhythm Changes?