TRADITIONAL JAZZ
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HISTORY

AND INSTRUMENTATION

 INSTRUMENTATION 

Each instrument in a Dixieland band has a specific role to
play.  The trumpet is the lead instrument and plays the melody. This is an obvious choice because of the carrying power of the trumpet. The clarinet plays flowing lines or obligatos, but may also play harmonies in thirds above the trumpet. The trombone plays lyrically within the harmonic framework of the tune. The trombone will play countermelodies to the trumpet or function as a bass instrument if there is no tuba or bass present.  Sometimes the trombonist will perform both functions. The banjo is used primarily for rhythmic support to lay down the chords and to help propel the tune forward. The job of the tuba player is to keep time and to lay down the roots and fifths of the chords. The tubist will emphasize beats one and three, but may also "walk" (playing on all four beats) when appropriate. The piano can serve as either a frontline or rhythm section instrument. As a frontline instrument the piano can play the melody or improvise solos. As a rhythm section instrument, the piano helps to color the performance by playing chords and adding rhythmic support. Last, but not least, is the drummer. The drummer keeps time, adds fills and helps bring in each soloist.  Using the various sounds available from his drum kit he can enhance ensemble passages and solos alike. The addition of woodblocks, cowbells and cymbals provide fun and exciting effects.

      TRADITIONAL JAZZ HISTORY

Dixieland is a popular name that refers to the earliest
styles of jazz originated in New Orleans during the late
1910s and Chicago during the 1920s. Dixieland or
Traditional jazz is collectively improvised small group
music where the players simultaneously improvise over
a song’s structure. It is often considered to be the first
 true style of jazz. Dixieland music is a mixture of music
 that incorporates work songs, brass band marches, folk, blues, gospel, popular music and ragtime.  Famous
Dixieland tunes include: "Muskrat Ramble,” "Struttin' With Some Barbecue,” "Tiger Rag,”"Dippermouth Blues,” 
"Basin Street Blues,” "Just A Closer Walk With Thee,”
and many others. "Bill Bailey" is the second most
requested tune in Dixieland music, the first being
"When the Saints Go Marching In.”

New Orleans style bands are fronted by trumpet or
cornet, clarinet and trombone. The rhythm section typically includes banjo, tuba and drums. The Chicago Style
augments the front line with the addition of a saxophone. 
The Chicago style also differs from the New Orleans style
by replacing the tuba with string bass, the banjo with
guitar and adding piano. 

There is a distinct difference with how the New Orleans and Chicago style rhythm sections accompany the frontline players.  In the New Orleans style the rhythm section plays
in a flat-four style. That is, all four beats within a measure
are played with equal emphasis. The Chicago style is
played with a two beat feel where beats two and four
receive more emphasis. The Chicago style is also
performed more aggressively than that of New Orleans. 

Among the great innovators that contributed to the development of this music are Louis Armstrong, Joe
“King” Oliver, Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney
Bechet, Kid Ory, Johnny Dodds, Baby  Dodds,
Bix Beiderbecke and Nick LaRocca to name a few.