A Sexy Century for Saxaphonists
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker- He was the leading figure in the art of improvisational
bop in the 1940's. He began playing when he was just 11 in his school
band. In his late teen years Charlie Parker was practicing up to 15
hours a day. He continued this trend for nearly 4 years. After moving to
new york he made huge advancements in improvisational techniques.
Chromatic scales allowed him to connect all of the standard scales for
better transitions. His work inspired other greats such as Coleman
Hawkins. Charlie died of a heart attack at 34 due to heavy heroin use.
Parker was the founder of the foundation of bebop music. His
inventiveness and consistent playing made him one of the greatest
saxophone artists of the century. His inventiveness and dedication to
the jazz world makes Charlie Parker the most important figure in Jazz.
John Coltrane
John Coltrane-(Saint John William Coltrane)- John Coltrane grew
up in Hamlet, North Carolina. He studied jazz theory in his teens. It
all began for Coltrane when he went to the Navy. He began playing with a
few other background artists on his tenor sax. After playing with other
Naval members he moved to Philly' for freelance work. A declining Miles
Davis contacted him during the late 40's. The two grouped up and formed
what was known as the "First Great Quintet." Their success was
long-lived. Both Coltrane and Davis's heroin addictions led to the break
up of their band after a year. John Coltrane's later life was full of
success. Mid life, canonization by the African Orthodox Church left him a Saint. He pioneered the use of modes, "The changing of scales by use
of semitones." Not only did he pioneer the basics but he became the
leading free jazz improvisor and forefront of free jazz which lasted
into the 50's. After multiple quintet's, Coltrane played with the Duke
Ellington band and became a true jazz giant. His death shocked many, for
it was liver cancer. Very few people knew of his actual condition at
the time. His legacy will forever live on. His witty and melodic
harmonization makes John Coltrane the second most important jazz
saxophonist ever.
Theodore "Sonny" Rollins
Theodore "Sonny" Rollins- Sonny Rollins grew up in Harlem. Living in Harlem put him
very close to center of the bebop movement. He grew up idolizing Coleman
Hawkins. He began his musical career playing alto saxophone and
flourished on the tenor saxophone. Before he turned twenty his talent
put him in the spotlight with Miles Davis and Bud Powell. He got by with
a little help from a friend. Charlie Parker taught him the ways early
in his life. Soon he emerged into an improvisational god in Chicago. His
success led him to a period of 0 public performances. After two years
in the shadows he exploded onto the jazz scene. He polished his
improvisational solos and recorded multiple albums. Later in Sonny's
life he received many prestigious awards. He won the Edward MacDowell
Medal for outstanding contribution to his field. He also received an
award from President Barack Obama and many more. His playing shaped the
next generations of Jazz players.
Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Hawkins- Coleman Hawkins was born in 1906. This gave him the
necessary years to develop more uses for the Tenor saxophone. He began
his life by studying harmonies and composition. He first began playing
saxophone at the early age of nine! His playing led him to New York
City, where he would play with Louis Armstrong and the fantastic
Henderson Orchestra. While working with the orchestra he participated in
some of the first interracial recordings. After visiting Europe and
playing for awhile Coleman came back to the U.S. When he got back he
recorded two landmark swing era albums. His interest in harmonic
structure led to the creation of what is considered as the beginning of
next generation of Jazz. Miles Davis learned the meaning of ballads from
his playing. Lester Young looked upon Coleman as if he was a god. His
career slowly declined, but his impact on the jazz evolution will
forever be recognized.
Lester Young
Lester Young- Lester Young was born into a musical family. His dad
taught him three instruments and then saxophone. He began by playing in
circuits and in vaudeville events. After turning 18 he refused to tour
Southern U.S. due to the racism. Lester joined Count Basie's band after
moving to Kansas City. He recorded many albums and soon left after being
superstitious. His work with his brother and star-singer Billie
Holliday sky-rocketed his reputation. He then left for the army after
being drafted. After his term he followed heavy drinking binges for the
rest of his life, until death. Before his death he created the "Sound of
Jazz" on CBS and showed the world what the famous jazz musicians could
do. His smooth playing jumped into the hearts of avid listeners and has
stuck there ever since.
The Cannible
Julian "Cannonball" Adderley- Julian Adderley was extremely famous by
the end of his life. The beginning of his career skyrocketed in New
York, but began in Florida. His early adventure in school nicknamed him
the "cannibal" for his fast eating capacity. In the early 1940's
Cannonball played with his brother Nat and Ray Charles, the god of
piano. After gaining reputation he moved on to New York city where he
would accidentally land a gig in a small club. This gained the attention
of Mile's Davis during the peak of his career. His work in the field of
electric jazz with Miles Davis makes him a key figure in Jazz history.
Dexter Gordon
Dexter Gordon- Dexter Gordon played a strong role in the up rise of bebop. His father, Dr.
Frank Gordon, introduced him to the world of music. As one of the first
African American doctors in Los Angeles he was doctor to the famed
artist: Duke Ellington. This inspirational figure pushed him to begin
playing an instrument at the age of 13. By 15 he was playing alto
saxaphone, and by 17 he had switched to tenor. After high school Dexter
had the honor of playing with Lee young (Lester Young's little brother).
His career skyrocketed when he met and sat with Lester Young while
touring with one of his first bands. In 1944 Dexter scored a spot in
Louis Armstrong's Orchestra. He recorded some of his first major
material with them. By 1945 he was recording some of the most innovative
bebop to date. By the late 40's he was playing with the best. Charlie
Parker, Dexter Gordon, and Miles Davis created the most monumental bebop
movement albums. His legendary arrangements with some of the greatest puts him up in ranks with the best.
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