Discovering Jazz
Discovering Jazz
Discovering Jazz - While it would be relatively easier to discuss the history of jazz music, this film instead focuses on the various styles of jazz from its traditional beginnings in New Orleans and Dixieland, up to and including the arguably political strain of late 1960's free jazz.
Discovering Jazz
DO NOT USE: Opening Titles
Discovering Jazz
MS's & CU's black men playing African drums and percussion. MS's white choir (male and female) singing a cold and slow-tempo, "When the Saints Go Marching In", stained glass window in BG. Cut to CU's of black choir singing the same song but with more feel and at a lively tempo.
Discovering Jazz
MS silhouette of Dixieland funeral march; MS's & CU's African American male band in colorful uniforms (snare, banjo, clarinet, tuba, trumpet & trombone) in white lighting studio, playing upbeat instrumental version of "When the Saints Go Marching In".
Discovering Jazz
MS's & CU's black male in darkened studio, giving example of slavery-era field hollering (bending of vocal notes).
Discovering Jazz
Cut to MS's & CU's blues quartet (piano, trombone, stand-up bass, female vocals) playing early 20th century traditional 12 bar blues ballad; good shots of piano keys being struck, musicians playing, dolled-up singer)
Discovering Jazz
MS's & CU's several black men recreating call and response work song (slavery-era).
Discovering Jazz
Diss to all-white big band playing swing song in a red-hued lighting studio; MS's & CU's lead clarinetist, brass and woodwind section; a showy, no-feel, all arrangement and no emotion song.
Discovering Jazz
Bebop quartet (piano, trumpet, sax, trap kit, stand-up bass): CU's faces and hands on instruments as band plays; introduction of stressed importance of improvisation.
Discovering Jazz
MS's & CU's older white man playing a Johann Sebastian Bach piece on a very large pipe organ; shots of hands on keys & feet on pedal board.
Discovering Jazz
Cut to section on bi-racial Cool Jazz quintet (flute, trumpet, stand-up bass, trap kit, vibraphone): MS's & CU's musicians playing (bassist starts with bow; drummer uses wire brushes); darkened lighting studio; limp, sophisticated tune.
Discovering Jazz
Cut back to shots of the organist playing Bach song (stressing European song structure becoming much more prevalent in jazz.
Discovering Jazz
MS's & CU's black gospel choir (dressed in mid-1800's clothing) clapping & singing.
Discovering Jazz
Cut to Funky Jazz trio (piano, drums, bass) playing in a garage; shots of keys hitting strings, hi-hat keeping time, snare being struck with wire brushes, bass strings being plucked; very rhythmic, roadhouse blues feel.
Discovering Jazz
Free Jazz quintet (bass, electric guitar, trombone, drums, amplified saxophone): excellent odd angle MS's & CU's of musicians improvising; CU Echoplex hooked up to saxophone. Cool.
Discovering Jazz
DO NOT USE: End Credits