In other writings on the origins and history of jazz, Tom Patterson of
Deerpark Middle School has taken students on a musical journey from the
pre-Civil War days, through the ragtime era, and into the rise of radio
friendly swing band ensembles of the 1920s and 1930s. Here, Tom Patterson of Deerpark continues his historical exploration of jazz, the greatest from of
musical expression of our era.
Tom Patterson of Deerpark describes how the original swing bands gained popularity and kept growing. Students at Deerpark learn that swing groups evolved into what are known as the "Big Band" ensembles of legends like Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Benny Goodman. According to Tom Patterson, these big band swing sounds dominated the jazz scene through the 1930s and into the 1940s.
The 1940s brought another world war, notes Deerpark’s Tom Patterson, and widespread cultural and social upheaval. Tom Patterson tells his Deerpark students that World War II had an affect on every culture in the world. American culture, with its big vibrant jazz sound was no different. During the 1940s into the 1950s, according to Tom Patterson of Deerpark, jazz and blues musicians stretched their boundaries.
Tom Patterson of Deerpark Middle School also points out that jazz musicians produced newer, fragmented forms of jazz with various names, including "Jump Music," "Bebop," and "Boogie-Woogie," just to name a few. Tom Patterson of Deerpark tells how bands began to get smaller again and more individualistic. Deerpark’s Tom Patterson further explains that musicians were relying on their intimate improvisational talents as a small ensemble. Big bands needed a composer, arranger, and conductor. Tom Patterson points out to Deerpark band students that Jump Music and Bebop bands just needed each other to make a groove.
Tom Patterson of Deerpark Middle School asserts that the swing and Big Band eras established jazz musical forms firmly in the American mainstream. In fact, adds Tom Patterson of Deerpark, many authentic blues and jazz performers disliked the mainstream notoriety of jazz music. Tom Patterson explains that these dedicated musicians broke off on their own, creating smaller ensembles that were more versatile and experimental. Band director Tom Patterson of Deerpark Middle School tells students that these smaller jazz groups striking out on their own away from the mainstream set the stage for the birth of Rock and Roll in the 1950s and 1960s.
Tom Patterson of Deerpark describes how the original swing bands gained popularity and kept growing. Students at Deerpark learn that swing groups evolved into what are known as the "Big Band" ensembles of legends like Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Benny Goodman. According to Tom Patterson, these big band swing sounds dominated the jazz scene through the 1930s and into the 1940s.
The 1940s brought another world war, notes Deerpark’s Tom Patterson, and widespread cultural and social upheaval. Tom Patterson tells his Deerpark students that World War II had an affect on every culture in the world. American culture, with its big vibrant jazz sound was no different. During the 1940s into the 1950s, according to Tom Patterson of Deerpark, jazz and blues musicians stretched their boundaries.
Tom Patterson of Deerpark Middle School also points out that jazz musicians produced newer, fragmented forms of jazz with various names, including "Jump Music," "Bebop," and "Boogie-Woogie," just to name a few. Tom Patterson of Deerpark tells how bands began to get smaller again and more individualistic. Deerpark’s Tom Patterson further explains that musicians were relying on their intimate improvisational talents as a small ensemble. Big bands needed a composer, arranger, and conductor. Tom Patterson points out to Deerpark band students that Jump Music and Bebop bands just needed each other to make a groove.
Tom Patterson of Deerpark Middle School asserts that the swing and Big Band eras established jazz musical forms firmly in the American mainstream. In fact, adds Tom Patterson of Deerpark, many authentic blues and jazz performers disliked the mainstream notoriety of jazz music. Tom Patterson explains that these dedicated musicians broke off on their own, creating smaller ensembles that were more versatile and experimental. Band director Tom Patterson of Deerpark Middle School tells students that these smaller jazz groups striking out on their own away from the mainstream set the stage for the birth of Rock and Roll in the 1950s and 1960s.