Chapter 3: The Blues The blues is neither an era in the chronological development of jazz nor a particular style of playing or singing jazz. Because of the great variety of individual styles used by those who are referred to as blues singers, it can be said that there is no single set manner of interpreting this type of jazz that should be labeled a blues style. General research has pictured the blues as something sung by old people accompanied by guitar; yet, from the mid-1920s through the 1930s, young energetic singers in Kansas City were accompanied by complete jazz bands. The blues has been played and sung in every era in the development of jazz and can be performed with many interpretations. Any recorded anthology of jazz in general, or of blues in particular, shows this great variety of styles. Blues can be slow and sad like a dirge, or it can be happy and rollicking. Blues is as important today in jazz as it ever was. Many modern jazz selections still use the basic blues progression with expanded harmonies. Charlie Parker’s “Another Hair Do” is a good example of blues in bop, and Milt Jackson’s “Bags’ Groove” is played in both cool and funky styles, showing minor blues to be apropos in a contemporary setting.
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Chapter 3: The Blues - Wikispaces · Chapter 3: The Blues ... CHAPTER 3 - The Blues 22 Billie Holiday † Holiday crossed many musical lines while staying with her individual singing
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Chapter 3: The Blues
The blues is neither an era in the chronological development of jazz nor a
particular style of playing or singing jazz. Because of the great variety of
individual styles used by those who are referred to as blues singers, it can
be said that there is no single set manner of interpreting this type of jazz
that should be labeled a blues style. General research has pictured the
blues as something sung by old people accompanied by guitar; yet, from
the mid-1920s through the 1930s, young energetic singers in Kansas City
were accompanied by complete jazz bands.
The blues has been played and sung in every era in the development of
jazz and can be performed with many interpretations. Any recorded
anthology of jazz in general, or of blues in particular, shows this great
variety of styles.
Blues can be slow and sad like a dirge, or it can be happy and rollicking.
Blues is as important today in jazz as it ever was. Many modern jazz
selections still use the basic blues progression with expanded harmonies.
Charlie Parker’s “Another Hair Do” is a good example of blues in bop, and
Milt Jackson’s “Bags’ Groove” is played in both cool and funky styles,
showing minor blues to be apropos in a contemporary setting.
• Holiday crossed many musical lines while staying with her individual singing style
• Influenced by Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong
• Frustrating aspect of Holiday’s career must have been that unwillingness of the public to accept black and white musicians performing together on the same bandstand