An exploration of Joe ‘King’ Oliver’s pivotal ensemble that transplanted the polyphonic spirit of New Orleans to the urban landscape of Chicago. This guide analyzes the technical brilliance and historical significance of the band that mentored Louis Armstrong.
An exploration of the rhythmic and harmonic foundations of the Jazz Age, focusing on the transition from the percussive banjo to the guitar and the piano’s evolution from ragtime to jazz orchestration.
An exploration of how the intellectual and artistic flowering of the Harlem Renaissance transformed jazz from popular dance music into a sophisticated medium for social commentary and narrative art.
An exploration of Duke Ellington’s ‘Jungle Style,’ where the strategic use of muted brass and dissonant textures challenged racial stereotypes and expanded the sonic palette of early jazz.
An exploration of the Savoy Ballroom, the epicenter of the Swing Era in Harlem. Discover how its integrated dance floor and ‘battle of the bands’ format catalyzed the evolution of jazz and the birth of the Lindy Hop.
A scholarly guide to distinguishing the ‘horizontal’ approach of modal jazz from the ‘vertical’ nature of functional harmony. Learn to recognize the sonic markers of modality through harmonic stability and melodic freedom.
Exploring the pivotal role of St. Louis as a geographic and musical waypoint during the Great Migration. This analysis examines how the city synthesized New Orleans polyphony with the emerging urban sophistication of Chicago.
An exploration of how secular Cuban dance traditions, from the street-level energy of Rumba to the sophisticated structures of Danzón, fundamentally reshaped the rhythmic architecture of American jazz.
An exploration of ‘comping’—the sophisticated art of accompanying in jazz. From the sparse elegance of Count Basie to the dense modal textures of McCoy Tyner, this guide analyzes the harmonic and rhythmic strategies used to elevate the soloist.
A deep dive into the intersection of modal exploration and dissonant textures within the independent jazz movements. This guide analyzes the socio-political drivers and technical innovations of the underground scene.