Question

List and DESCRIBE three distinct categories of jazz and give an example for each.

Answer 1

1. Chicago Style Jazz - The city of Chicago was the breeding ground for many young, inventive players. This genre of jazz is characterised by harmonic, inovative arrangements and a high technical ability of the players. Chicago Style Jazz most famously include the contributions of Benny Goodman, Bud Freeman and Eddie Condon.
2. Hot Jazz - Hot Jazz is characterized by collective improvised solos, around melodic structure, that ideally builds up to an emotional and "Hot" climax. The rhythm section supported this crescendo, many times in the style of march tempo. Louis Armstrong is a prominent figure in this genre and recorded the first of his Hot Five band records.
3. Swing - Swing is considered to be robust and invigorating in comparison to other genres. Swing was also dance music, and offered individual musicians a chance to improvise melodic, thematic solos which could at times be very complex. This category of jazz was pioneered by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman.