www.eastwindrecords.com

All About Jazz Guitar Legend, Herb Ellis

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Herb Ellis was born in Texas and grew up in the Dallas area. He dropped out of college to pursue his musical aspirations. He really did not get a professional nod until he was 33 years old. That break came when Ellis was playing jazz guitar with the Jimmy Dorsey Band in 1943. It was with Jimmy Dorsey’s band that Ellis first recorded music as a guitar solo performer. Ellis caught another huge break when musician John Frigo, dropped out of a band, that Ellis would soon join in 1947, the band would eventually evolve into the ‘Soft Winds’. The band would stay together with Ellis until 1952. In 1953 Ellis joined, the ‘Oscar Peterson Trio’. The group was referred to by many jazz greats, as the greatest jazz ensemble of, piano, guitar and bass trios of all time. Ellis raised a lot of eyebrows during his tenure with the Peterson Trio. He was the only caucasian in the group, at a time when integrated groups were unheard of. Ellis would backup both Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong during studio recordings. Ellis would join Ella Fitzgerald touring in 1959 and 60. Ellis died of Alzheimer’s disease in LA in 2010 at 88.

A Brief History Of Jazz Music

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Jazz is defined as “a genre of American music that originated in New Orleans circa characterized by strong, prominent meter, improvisation, distinctive tone colors & performance techniques, and dotted or syncopated rhythmic patterns. But Jazz is so much more than that.’

Jazz dates back to the early 1700s, when slavery was still established. Slaves would sing in the fields from sun up to sun down. A caller would sing out a line and all others working in that field would repeat the line that was sung.I was looking for more information and found it here.

In the 1800s, an African American composer named Scott Joplin invented ragtime. This type of jazz was made up of melodic and rhythmic music. The swanky music began to fill the air with a mixture of wondrous woodwinds and the shrieking brass instruments.

As settlers began to arrive in New Orleans, jazz music began to populate in the towns. On each street corner, you could hear some variation of jazz playing and people dancing. Jazz has been proudly part of American culture for over one hundred years.

Some of the most popular jazz musicians are Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, and Billie Holiday. They not only have inspired musicians but are also inspired by their music and the impact that it gives people.

All About Jazz Guitar Player, Mel Bay

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Melbourne “Mel” Bay was born in 1913 in the rural Missouri town of Bunker. He learned to play guitar on an old Sear’s and Roebuck guitar by watching other guitar players as there were no guitar teachers in the small town in which he grew up. Mel wanted to make a living playing guitar so he moved to St. Louis where there were greater opportunities for musicians. While in St. Louis, Mel worked for several radio stations as their “house” guitar player. He also fronted a jazz trio with a bass player and pianist. Eventually, Mel created song books to help those who lacked the ability to play good chords, and who were unable to read music. Although he made a living as a musician for over 25 years, it is his “Modern Guitar Method” song books that have provided his lasting legacy in the music world. It is estimated that the Modern Guitar Method has sold more than 20 million copies world wide. Although by all accounts Mel Bay was an accomplished guitarist in his own right, it is the Mel Bay song books that have allowed millions of guitarists to learn the craft and in which his legacy lasts.

Some Intriguing Facts About Jazz Music

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Jazz is an American art form that is considered one of America-s greatest cultural achievements. Jazz originated in Southern United States in the early twentieth century. African American-s brought with them tribal musical traditions that evolved, after slavery ended, into what we call Jazz today. Some argue that Jazz began in New Orleans, but it seems to have popped up throughout the South and traveled around the United States without one single origin. The word Jazz-s origins are arguable as well.You can find a quick rundown here No one really knows for sure where the word came from, but many writers use their own theories as fact. One of the most interesting things about Jazz as music is that it is really more of an art form. For example in most music, the musician plays the notes on the paper before him. Notes that were written in advance by themselves or someone else. There is a certain amount of interpretation, but basically the musician is just playing prewritten notes. In Jazz however, there is a wide level of interpretation allowed and encouraged. This originates in Africa where music was implemented often into daily life and rituals. Jazz evolved from call and response patterns used in the fields to the almost magical performance of two or more instruments bantering back and forth, unscripted, just free after the first few notes. This is not to say that Jazz music is unscripted, the notes are written and replayed but there is room for interpretation and putting ones own stamp on the performance. That is one of the many things that makes Jazz one of America-s greatest cultural achievements, and why many new artists love to try their own hand at the classics that are from so long ago, yet remain classic and relevant today.