Modal Jazz: History, Musical Ideas, and Essential Listening
Explore modal jazz through its history, musical ideas, and essential recordings, with clear explanations of modes, harmony, improvisation, and listening techniques.
Jazz Styles
A guide to the various genres and stylistic movements within jazz.
Free Jazz and the Avant-Garde: History, Approaches, and Key Recordings
Explore free jazz and the avant-garde through their history, major musicians, musical approaches, and key recordings, with practical advice for new listeners.
Jazz Fusion: The Meeting of Jazz, Rock, Funk, and Electronic Sound
Discover how jazz fusion brought together jazz, rock, funk, and electronic sound through its history, major musicians, instruments, and essential recordings.
Vocal Jazz History: Singers, Interpretation, and Improvisation
Explore vocal jazz history through its major singers, the art of interpretation, scat and vocalese, ensemble interaction, and essential listening examples.
Stride Piano vs Ragtime: What Is the Difference?
An exploration of the transition from the formal, composed structures of Ragtime to the improvisational, athletic virtuosity of Stride piano. Discover how the ‘striding’ left hand redefined the American jazz landscape.
Afro-Cuban Jazz and Bossa Nova: Different Histories and Rhythms
An exploration of the divergent evolutionary paths of Latin jazz, contrasting the high-energy polyrhythms of Afro-Cuban jazz with the sophisticated, understated elegance of Brazilian Bossa Nova.
Cool Jazz vs. Hard Bop: How to Hear the Difference
A deep dive into the two defining jazz movements of the 1950s. Discover how the understated restraint of Cool Jazz contrasts with the earthy, soulful intensity of Hard Bop.
Free Jazz vs Free Improvisation: Where the Terms Overlap
An exploration of the nuanced distinctions between Free Jazz and Free Improvisation. This guide analyzes the shift from jazz-based liberation to non-idiomatic expression and the historical intersections of the two movements.