In
previous articles, we indicated that our interest in writing this column was to
bring about an understanding of jazz music so that we can appreciate it better.
Jazz music can be very simple, yet very intricate, and this is why it is better
appreciated through live music and live performances.
My
efforts here are meant to compliment earlier efforts by other jazz enthusiasts
in the country who have played their part in trying to promote jazz and jazz
awareness. I am also much encouraged by all the positive feedbacks I receive
and it is giving me more inspiration to continue this journey with much
excitement and pleasure.
Jazz
music as we all know, is an indigenous American art form that is quite
essential to the overall cultural make-up of the United States. It is played by
a jazz band (ensemble or jazz combo) without the use of a conductor, and
usually consists of rhythm section brass instruments, which play the melody and
main accompaniment.
The
rhythm section is the foundation for the band, and sets the fed for the piece
of music being played. It is composed of members of the ensemble that provide
the beat, pulse, groove and harmonic material for a tune. It usually consists of
a bassist, pianist and drummer - (a typical trio).
Sometimes,
it may include a guitarist and a percussionist or any combination of the other
above-mentioned instruments. In a typical jazz arrangement, members may also be
given the opportunity to play solo. A rhythm section can be found in many other
types of modern musical ensembles besides jazz, such as country, blues and
rock. A standard rhythm section counts on a keyboard instrument, and or a
guitar, a double bass or electric bass and drums.
Our
focus this week, is on a musician who helped to redefine the role of a jazz
rhythm section and was also one of the prime architects of the "post
bop" sound. Post bop is a term used to describe a form of small combo jazz
music that evolved in the early to mid sixties. It is music that assembles the
influence of hard bop, modal jazz, the avant garde and free jazz, without
necessarily being immediately identifiable as any of the above. Musicians who
have been associated with this sound are John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie
Mingus, Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock.
His
birth name was Herbert Jeffrey Hancock, but later known as Herbie Hancock. He
was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 12th 1940, and started with a classical
music education at the age of seven. He was considered a child prodigy when at
age of eleven; he played the first movement of Mozrt's Piano Concert No 5 at a
young people's concert with the Chicago symphony.
He
is an American pianist, bandleader and composer whose music embraces elements of
funk and soul while adopting freer stylistic elements from jazz in his jazz
improvisation, he posses a unique creative blend of jazz, blues and modern
classical music with harmonic styling that crosses over without restriction. He
is best known for his solo works "Cantetoupe Island",
"Watermelon Man", "Chameleon", "I Thought It Was
You" and "Rock It".
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