MUSIC Chick Webb: Jazz Innovator - Blackboard Learn (Middle) Analyze musical styles and traditions from various historical periods and cultures Music VSC: 2.1 (Grade 7 and 8) Describe

© Copyright 2005 Maryland State Department of Education and Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture

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Chick Webb: Jazz InnovatorMMUUSSEEUUMM CCOONNNNEECCTTIIOONN:: ART and INTELLECT

PPuurrppoossee:: In this lesson students will be introduced to Chick Webb, an innovative AfricanAmerican musician from Baltimore who performed during the time of the Harlem Renaissance.They will read about his childhood struggles and about the contributions he made to Americanmusic as a performer and bandleader. They will describe perceived innovations in ChickWebb’s compositions as they compare his music with selected earlier works.

GGrraaddee LLeevveell aanndd CCoonntteenntt AArreeaa:: Elementary Middle, Music

TTiimmee PPeerriioodd:: 2-3 class periods

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II.B.3 (Elementary) Demonstrate knowledge of musical styles and traditions from varioushistorical periods and cultures

II.B.3 (Middle) Analyze musical styles and traditions from various historical periods and cultures

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2.1 (Grade 7 and 8) Describe how musical expression reflects social, political, and ethical issues

2.1.d (Grade 4) Identify and describe roles of musicians in Maryland

2.1.f (Grade 5) Describe various careers in music and ways that they may provide personal satisfaction

RReeaaddiinngg aanndd EEnngglliisshh LLaanngguuaaggee AArrttss VVSSCC::

1.E.1.a (Grades 4 and 5) Listen to critically, read, and discuss texts representing diversity in content, culture, authorship, and perspective, including areas such as race, gender, disability, religion, and socio-economic background

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Students will explain and demonstrate the musical innovations of Chick Webb, a popularAfrican American jazz musician whose work was a noted feature of the HarlemRenaissance in Baltimore.

VVOOCCAABBUULLAARRYY AANNDD CCOONNCCEEPPTTSS

CCllaassssiiccaall – The term classical, when applied to music, has a vague rather than specificmeaning: music composition roughly between 1750 and 1830 (i.e., post-Baroque and pre-

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Romantic), which covers the development of the classical symphony and concerto. Themusic is of an orderly nature, with qualities of clarity and balance, and emphasizes formalbeauty rather than emotional expression (which is not to say that emotion is lacking).“Classical music” is generally regarded as having permanent rather than ephemeral value.“Classical music” is used as a generic term meaning the opposite of light or popular music.

EEnnsseemmbbllee – An ensemble is a group of performers.

IInnssttrruummeennttaall mmuussiicc – Instrumental music is performed on instruments, without singing.

JJaazzzz – Jazz is a type of music, of African American origin, characterized by improvisation,syncopation, and usually a regular or forceful rhythm.

RRaaggttiimmee – Ragtime music began as improvisational piano in the honky-tonks, cafes, andgambling houses along the Mississippi River. Often piano players added crude lyrics toblues melodies. Ragtime incorporates a syncopated beat and flamboyant melody. Fromsuch rugged beginnings, ragtime became highly popular music during the 1890s andremained popular through the 1920s. The ragtime piano player was a strong influence onthe music of the Harlem Renaissance. Eubie Blake, from Baltimore, is considered a superbragtime performer and composer.

RRhhyytthhmm iinnssttrruummeennttss – Percussion instruments used to play combinations of longer orshorter sounds and silences are also called rhythm instruments.

SSccaatt – Scatting is a style of singing nonsense syllables that is popular with jazz singers.

SSwwiinngg – Swing music is a popular, dance-oriented, big band jazz style that first flourishedin the 1930s, often based on popular songs and the 12 bar blues.

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FFOORR TTHHEE TTEEAACCHHEERR::

Available percussion instruments (preferably drum and drumsticks)

Pictures of jazz instruments (e.g., drum set, piano, string bass, trombone, cornet, and trumpet)

Recording of “Stompin’ At the Savoy” by Chick Webb

Recording of “Spinnin’ the Webb” by Chick Webb

Recording of “Maple Leaf Rag” by Scott Joplin

Recording of “Charleston Rag” by Eubie Blake

TTeeaacchheerr RReessoouurrccee SShheeeett 11 – Chick Webb

Map of the United States

FFOORR TTHHEE SSTTUUDDEENNTT::

SSttuuddeenntt RReessoouurrccee SShheeeett 11 – Chick Webb: Jazz Innovator

SSttuuddeenntt RReessoouurrccee SShheeeett 22 – Chick Webb


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SSttuuddeenntt RReessoouurrccee SShheeeett 33 – Chick Webb Graphic Organizer

SSttuuddeenntt RReessoouurrccee SShheeeett 44 – Writing Announcement OrganizerRREESSOOUURRCCEESS

PPUUBBLLIICCAATTIIOONNSS:

Collier, James Lincoln. Jazz: An American Saga. New York: Henry Holt and Company, Inc., 1997.

Hasse, John Edward, ed. Jazz: The First Century. New York: William Morrow, 2000.

Mattox, Cheryl Warren. Let’s Get the Rhythm of the Band. Nashville: JTG, 1994.

Medearis, Angela, and Michael Medearis. African-American Arts: Music. New York:Twenty-First Century Books, 1997.

Ward, Geoffrey C., and Ken Burns. Jazz: A History of America’s Music. New York: AlfredKnopf, 2000.

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The Life and Music of Chick Webbhttp://www-music.duke.edu/jazz_archive/artists/webb.chick/01/webb.htm

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JJaazzzz

Jazz is an American art form created in Storyville, the red light district of New Orleans,Louisiana. It is not known how the word jazz originated. The spelling of the word began as“jaz,” “jass,” and finally “jazz.” The early San Francisco meaning of the word “jazz” waspep, enthusiasm, or play with energy. In New Orleans, however, the word took on a newmeaning of being provocative.

Jazz is a mixture of ragtime and blues music with improvisation. Jazz began as dance musicaround the late 1800s. Created by African Americans, jazz began mostly as instrumentalmusic. Singing was added later. Jazz was first considered an ensemble music in which agroup of musicians played their instruments all together. Soon after, individual musicianswithin groups began to play solo parts or a feature role during the performance of themusic. The musical instruments of early jazz were the cornet, trombone, clarinet, banjo,drums and, sometimes, tuba. The piano, saxophone, and trumpet were added later.

Jazz may have started in New Orleans, but it did not remain there. Other cities were alsothriving centers for jazz. It is said by some that jazz was born in New Orleans but grew upin Chicago, Kansas City, and New York.

Jazz music has complicated rhythms like ragtime music. It uses a “blue-note” style ofsinging by playing “sliding” or “swooping” sounds on the instruments with an accent onad-lib or improvisation.

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Musicians begin playing arrangements of jazz from a written score of harmonies anda melody. After doing this the musicians add their own ideas to the music. The musicianstake turns playing solos in call-and-response style in which one player plays the call whilethe rest of the group plays the response. Other players also play the solo line going back andforth from the group. While players play the solo line, they also improvise on the melody tocreate a new musical idea.

Jazz singers improvise by “scat singing,” a style of singing nonsense syllables such as “shoobop de wop” instead of real words. This style of singing was a part of “hot jazz” that waspopular in the 1920s. Singing was important in the 1940s in the swing era of “bop,” whichwas often difficult to play. The “cool” jazz of the 1950s had musicians improvising long solosat very fast speeds. There were only a few singers during this period while small combosplayed cool, soft sounds. The 1970s was characterized by jazz fusion, a sound that blendedjazz, rhythm and blues, and rock.

Over the years, jazz has evolved into a unique style played by people of all races. In the1980s, Wynton Marsalis revolutionized jazz when he electrified traditional classical musicwith jazz scenes. He created his own style by combining classical and jazz techniques andelements of his own. Marsalis is the first and only musician to be internationally recognizedas one of the best musicians in both classical music and jazz.

In its earliest form, jazz was closely related to its African roots. Today, jazz is more associat-ed with classical or art music. Many musicians have helped to develop the art form of jazz,including Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway,“Fats” Waller, Billie Holiday, Pearl Bailey, W. C. Handy, Miles Davis, Chick Webb, andcountless others.

CChhiicckk WWeebbbb

Chick Webb was born William Henry Webb on February 10, 1909, in Baltimore. Chick con-tracted spinal tuberculosis at the age of 3; the disease left him with a hunchback and littleuse of his legs. When he was fully grown, Chick was less than 5 feet tall. The doctor sug-gested that he learn to play the drums as a way to help his stiff joints. He started drummingon pots and pans and oil drums. He sold newspapers to collect enough money to buy adrum set that had special pedals so he could reach them. He moved to New York and beganplaying with Johnny Hodges, Benny Carter, and Duke Ellington.

Webb started a quintet, the Harlem Stompers, on the advice of Ellington. They played at theSavoy, one of the largest nightclubs in Harlem, where Webb’s flashy style won over the crowds.The Chick Webb Orchestra, formed in 1931, was the house band of the Savoy. His band was adrummer-led band, which means that he cued his players while playing the drums.

Webb memorized all the music the band played because he could not read music. His styleof playing was fluid and rhythmic, which was great for the swing era. His orchestra accept-ed challenges in “battle of the bands” contests. Some of his competitors were BennyGoodman, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. Webb’s last “battle of the bands” was with



Benny Goodman, and Webb’s orchestra blew Goodman’s away; this duel took place onMay 11, 1937, at the Savoy.

A showman on the drums, Webb shaped the Swing Era with dancing and audience involve-ment. The drummer in a swing band kept the time and moved the band. Each band duringthe Swing Era had its own signature tune, which was considered a trademark. These songswere played at the beginning or ending of dances. The signature of the Chick WebbOrchestra was “Let’s Get Together.”

Webb became an artist on the high-hat cymbal, which was rudimentary in the drum setup.Webb used the bass drum to keep 4/4 beat throughout many of his pieces, and he also usedthe woodblock, cowbell, snare drum, and tom-toms. He created a new melodic concept inhis drumming using breaks and solos and changed the nature of jazz drumming; prior tohis innovative playing, drummers were often thought of, essentially, as time-keepers, butWebb showed how they could contribute much more to the music.

Chick Webb influenced many jazz drummers including two of the greatest: Art Blakey andGene Krupa. Blakey took lessons from his idol and said that Webb was a primary influenceon his youth. Krupa believed Webb raised the awareness of drumming while paving theway for drummer-led bands.

Singer Ella Fitzgerald toured with Chick Webb’s band when she was just starting out as aperformer. Fitzgerald and Webb recorded more than 60 songs together, including the hit “A-Tisket A-Tasket.” After Webb’s death Fitzgerald took over the band for two years until theband broke up. Chick Webb died after having major surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospitalin Baltimore in 1939. It is said that his last words were, “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go.”

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11.. MMoottiivvaattiioonn:: Play an excerpt of the musical selection from Chick Webb’s “Stompin’ At the Savoy.”

Ask the students to name some of the instruments they hear on the recording. Tell the students one of the instruments they heard was a drum. Ask the students: How is the sound produced on the drum? Give one student a drum to play. Ask the students: How is the sound produced on the drum? Ask the student to show the class how the drum produces its sound. Tell the students that Chick Webb was a drummer. (This may allow an opportunity to discuss percussion instruments such as membranophones and idiophones.)

22.. Introduce jazz to the students using information from the Teacher Background. Using amap of the United States, have the students locate New Orleans, Louisiana, Chicago,Kansas City, and New York City.

33.. Prepare the students for listening to the music they will hear by explaining to them that

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this music is not what they are used to hearing. It was recorded between 1920 and 1940before modern technology. Therefore, the music may sound a bit distorted because of therecording method that was used. Tell the students that most of the singers during thistime did not have formal training.

44.. Play the musical selection “Maple Leaf Rag” by Scott Joplin, an example of jazz musicbefore Chick Webb. Discuss ragtime music.

55.. Review the graphic organizer SSttuuddeenntt RReessoouurrccee SShheeeett 11, Chick Webb: Jazz Innovator, as aclass, and apply it to “Maple Leaf Rag.” Ask students for their impressions. Discuss theelements of the music using the graphic organizer.

66.. Play “Stompin’ At the Savoy” by Chick Webb. Complete the appropriate section ofSSttuuddeenntt RReessoouurrccee SShheeeett 11 as a class.

77.. Discuss the differences in the two selections.

88.. Play “Charleston Rag” by Eubie Blake. Complete the appropriate section of SSttuuddeennttRReessoouurrccee SShheeeett 11 independently.

99.. Play “Spinnin’ the Webb” by Chick Webb. Complete the appropriate section of SSttuuddeennttRReessoouurrccee SShheeeett 11 independently.

1100.. Have the students share their answers with the class. Discuss Chick Webb’s musical style.

1111.. Display TTeeaacchheerr RReessoouurrccee SShheeeett 11, “Chick Webb.” Explain to the students that they willread a selection about Chick Webb in order to determine the influences he contributed tothe field of music.

1122.. Distribute SSttuuddeenntt RReessoouurrccee SShheeeett 22, “Chick Webb,” and read as a class. Model reading, underlining, highlighting, and taking notes on an overhead transparency of the graphic organizer.

1133.. Instruct the students to complete SSttuuddeenntt RReessoouurrccee SShheeeett 33 using their notes. The stu-dents can work in groups of two or three, or as a class. Debrief as a class.

1144.. AAsssseessssmmeenntt:: Have students respond to the following prompt:

Write an announcement that explains the accomplishments of Chick Webb. Yourannouncement could be read over a local radio station as a tribute to great musicians ofthe past. Include the following:

• the obstacles that Chick Webb overcame• Webb’s musical style and the innovations he contributed to the field of music.Note: Teachers may wish to use Student Resource Sheet 4, Writing Announcement Organizer, with students.

1155.. CClloossuurree:: Have a class discussion to summarize why Chick Webb was important in themusic world. Describe Chick Webb’s musical style and the innovations he made in thefield of music. Have the students discuss how a drummer-led band may be more



difficult to follow than a piano-led band. Have student volunteers model Chick Webb’sdrumming.

TTHHOOUUGGHHTTFFUULL AAPPPPLLIICCAATTIIOONN

Chick Webb made great accomplishments in the field of music. He also overcame manyobstacles. Think about the traits he showed, like persistence, creativity, and the desire toachieve. Why is he a role model for us to follow today? How could following some of histhoughts or actions influence your life?

LLEESSSSOONN EEXXTTEENNSSIIOONNSS

• The Renaissance spirit of Baltimore lives at of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Chick Webb’s contributions to the musical heritage of jazz took root along Baltimore’s Pennsylvania Avenue. Hear Webb’s music and performances and more in the “Strength of the Mind” section of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum’s permanent exhibition. Discoverother Maryland musicians who were among the period’s greatest performers. How has the musical culture of the world been touched by the music of this period?

• Research topics in music such as the Swing Era, drumming, and other recordings of Chick Webb.

• Visit the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, and see the Chick Webb exhibit.

• Create a CD cover inspired by the listening examples in the lesson.

• Find video clips and pictures of jazz performers.

• Compare the other forms of jazz, e.g., blues, Dixieland, swing, hot, and cool.

• Compose a percussion piece or perform an arrangement of Chick Webb’s music.

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CChhiicckk WWeebbbb

Photo by Metronome/Getty Images


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CChhiicckk WWeebbbb:: JJaazzzz IInnnnoovvaattoorr

©Copyright 2004 MSDE/Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History andCulture

Musical Elements“Maple Leaf Rag” by Scott

Joplin

“Stompin at the Savoy”

by Chick Webb

Identify the instrumentsyou hear.

Identify soloinstruments.

TTeexxttuurreeThick - melody playedaloneThin - melody with other instruments

TTee mmppooAdagio (slow)Moderato (Medium)Allegro (fast)

DDyynnaamm iicc LLeevveellPiano (soft)Mezzo piano (Mediumsoft)Forte (loud)

MMooddeeMajor (upbeat, happy)Minor (sad, dark)

SSttyyllee//GGeennrr eeClassicalSwing JazzRagtime

YYoouurr FFee eell iinnggssLiked itDisliked itIn between

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CChhiicckk WWeebbbb:: JJaazzzz IInnnnoovvaattoorr


Musical Elements“Charleston Rag”

by Eubie Blake

“Spinnin the Webb”

by Chick Webb

Identify the instrumentsyou hear.

Identify soloinstruments.

TTeexxttuurreeThick - melody playedaloneThin - melody with other instruments

TTee mmppooAdagio (slow)Moderato (Medium)Allegro (fast)

DDyynnaamm iicc LLeevveellPiano (soft)Mezzo piano (Mediumsoft)Forte (loud)

MMooddeeMajor (upbeat, happy)Minor (sad, dark)

SSttyyllee//GGeennrr eeClassicalSwing JazzRagtime

YYoouurr FFee eell iinnggssLiked itDisliked itIn between

SSttuuddeenntt RReessoouurrccee SShheeeett 11


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CChhiicckk WWeebbbb

Chick Webb was born William Henry Webb on February 10, 1909, in Baltimore. Chick contracted spinaltuberculosis at the age of 3; the disease left him with a hunchback and little use of his legs. When hewas fully grown, Chick was less than 5 feet tall. The doctor suggested that he learn to play the drumsas a way to help his stiff joints. He started drumming on pots and pans and oil drums. He sold news-papers to collect enough money to buy a drum set that had special pedals so he could reach them. Hemoved to New York and began playing with Johnny Hodges, Benny Carter, and Duke Ellington.

Webb started a quintet, the Harlem Stompers, on the advice of Ellington. They played at the Savoy,one of the largest nightclubs in Harlem, where Webb’s flashy style won over the crowds. The ChickWebb Orchestra, formed in 1931, was the house band of the Savoy. His band was a drummer-ledband, which means that he cued his players while playing the drums.

Webb memorized all the music the band played because he could not read music. His style of play-ing was fluid and rhythmic, which was great for the swing era. His orchestra accepted challenges in“battle of the bands” contests. Some of his competitors were Benny Goodman, Count Basie, andDuke Ellington. Webb’s last “battle of the bands” was with Benny Goodman, and Webb’s orchestrablew Goodman’s away; this duel took place on May 11, 1937, at the Savoy.

A showman on the drums, Webb shaped the Swing Era with dancing and audience involvement. Thedrummer in a swing band kept the time and moved the band. Each band during the Swing Era hadits own signature tune, which was considered a trademark. These songs were played at the beginningor ending of dances. The signature of the Chick Webb Orchestra was “Let’s Get Together.”

Webb became an artist on the high-hat cymbal, which was rudimentary in the drum setup. Webbused the bass drum to keep 4/4 beat throughout many of his pieces, and he also used the wood-block, cowbell, snare drum, and tom-toms. He created a new melodic concept in his drummingusing breaks and solos and changed the nature of jazz drumming. Prior to his innovative playing,drummers were often thought of, essentially, as time-keepers, but Webb showed how they couldcontribute much more to the music.

Chick Webb influenced many jazz drummers including two of the greatest: Art Blakey and Gene Krupa.Blakey took lessons from his idol and said that Webb was a primary influence on his youth. Krupabelieved Webb raised the awareness of drumming while paving the way for drummer-led bands.

Singer Ella Fitzgerald toured with Chick Webb’s band when she was just starting out as a per-former. Fitzgerald and Webb recorded more than 60 songs, including the hit “A-Tisket A-Tasket.”After Webb’s death Fitzgerald took over the band for two years until the band broke up. ChickWebb died after having major surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore in 1939. It is saidthat his last words were, “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go.”


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© Copyright 2005 Maryland State Department of Education and Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture©Copyright 2004 MSDE/Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History andCulture

CChhiicckk WWeebbbb

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WWrriittiinngg AAnnnnoouunncceemmeenntt OOrrggaanniizzeerr

DDiirreeccttiioonnss:: Write an announcement that explains the accomplishments of Chick Webb. Theannouncement could be read over a local radio station as a tribute to great musicians of thepast. Include the following:

• the obstacles that Chick Webb overcame• Webb’s musical style and the innovations he contributed to the field of music

Who?

What? (Innovations, contributions, accomplishments)

••Obstacles? (things he overcame)

••RRaaddiioo TTrriibbuuttee ttoo aa GGrreeaatt MMuussiicciiaann ooff tthhee PPaasstt

Chick Webb made great accomplishments in the field of music.


Chick Webb made great accomplishments in the field of music.

First__________________________________________________________________

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Second________________________________________________________________

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For example,___________________________________________________________.

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Also__________________________________________________________________

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This is my tribute to ______________________________________________________

MUSIC Chick Webb: Jazz Innovator - Blackboard Learn (Middle) Analyze musical styles and traditions from various historical periods and cultures Music VSC: 2.1 (Grade 7 and 8) Describe

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