An absolute giant, a musical genius, a pioneer and just an all round amazement. He bursts onto the scene with his jazz orchestra, a daring steal from the classical music style. Many accredited him with raising the perception of jazz from a base form of music to being on par with other reputed genres.
In a sense he made jazz classical, he gave it a finesse, a classiness that has become so synonymous with it's perception. I am also told that he was a phenomenal composer, perhaps the best ever of his genre. So hats off to this man for being partly responsible for making jazz so sophisticated.
In a sense he made jazz classical, he gave it a finesse, a classiness that has become so synonymous with it's perception. I am also told that he was a phenomenal composer, perhaps the best ever of his genre. So hats off to this man for being partly responsible for making jazz so sophisticated.
Here is his Satin Doll:
Yes that lovely sound of the big band playing in unison is in part his invention. Many trumpets, Many saxophones, the background persistent low plucking of the double bass double bass, all being lead by the genius on the piano; together producing an utterly transcendental sound. So rich, so much texture and yet so classy. (Stevie Wonder's 'Sir Duke' is a tribute to him)
Admittedly I haven't yet listened to much of his music (and I definitely must), but another jazz genius who followed in his footsteps and whose music I am familiar with is Count Basie. The YouYube clip below shows a slightly bigger Jazz band:
Count Basie is famous for his very well known songs such as 'One'o'clock jump' 'lullaby of birdland' and 'Jumpin' at the Woodside' all of which I know and love so much!
For me there is something so powerful and sublime about the jazz band, I could honestly just set up home in front of a jazz big band concert and just spend my days listening to them play. I wish I could go back in time just to be in one of the Duke, or the Count's concerts and feel the energy exuded from every one of those instruments and the experience the virtuoso live.
I wish more contemporary artists (especially RnB) took risks and performed with orchestras and I wish more people appreciated this kind of music.
Janelle Monae is the only artist that I know of that has dared to take her RnB and turn it classical by performing with an orchestra. She has simply offered a classical interpretation of her music.Yes she is utterly mad, but there is something so refreshing about her originality and her defiance against the norms and conventions of contemporary chart music.
In this sense she follows in the footsteps of the great Duke and the Count and I really hope she is appreciated for this.
Her music is beautiful:
Count Basie is famous for his very well known songs such as 'One'o'clock jump' 'lullaby of birdland' and 'Jumpin' at the Woodside' all of which I know and love so much!
For me there is something so powerful and sublime about the jazz band, I could honestly just set up home in front of a jazz big band concert and just spend my days listening to them play. I wish I could go back in time just to be in one of the Duke, or the Count's concerts and feel the energy exuded from every one of those instruments and the experience the virtuoso live.
I wish more contemporary artists (especially RnB) took risks and performed with orchestras and I wish more people appreciated this kind of music.
Janelle Monae is the only artist that I know of that has dared to take her RnB and turn it classical by performing with an orchestra. She has simply offered a classical interpretation of her music.Yes she is utterly mad, but there is something so refreshing about her originality and her defiance against the norms and conventions of contemporary chart music.
In this sense she follows in the footsteps of the great Duke and the Count and I really hope she is appreciated for this.
Her music is beautiful:
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