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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

The term Jazz comes from a type of music which developed in the Southern States of America in the late 1800s. Although the name Jazz has obscure origins, Ragtime was its popular name. At the turn of the 19th century New Orleans was a major centre and black musicians were the leaders in the field.

Contributions to Jazz came from the rhythms of West Africa, European harmony, and American Gospel Singing. Ragtime lasted from about 1890 - 1917, and its leaders included: Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, and J P Johnson, with cornettists: Buddy Bolden and King Oliver. At about this time the Blues craze began in America, originating from Negro Spirituals.

As time passed, a number of Jazz styles developed, including Dixieland (about 1912) - borrowing from Ragtime and Blues. 

From 1920 Jazz became ever more sophisticated, and Jazz Arrangers composed for Big Band harmonies, with more conventional melodies. On the other hand, the Negro style was supported by composers like Duke Ellington. 

Swing entered the frame in the 1930s, with its precision arrangements. Swing Bands were led by virtuosos such as: Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw (clarinets), Jimmy Dorsey (alto sax), Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey (trombones), and Gene Krupa (drums). 

The 1940s saw Swing yield to Be-bop. Rhythm dominating mainly 'scat singing' (nonsense syllables). This was re-christened Modern Jazz, or 'Cool Jazz', which gave way to 'Free Jazz', later overshadowed by 'Pop'. Several great composers showed an interest in this music from America, including Claude Debussy. One composer above all others made the connection between Jazz and Classical music, he is George Gershwin. 

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And finally shall we look into that special American Sound: The  Negro Spiritual . . .

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