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1

The last two chapters discussed some examples of negative press that jazz received during that historical time. Imagine that you are a writer in Chicago or New Orleans in the 1920s, and you are writing an article with a positive angle on this new style of music. How would you explain why it is significant or great? You may also choose to focus on a particular artist, explaining why you believe he or she is important. Be sure to consider information from readings, as well as your personal observations from listening.
2

The text discusses styles of jazz which were at that time categorized as either "hot" or "sweet." Can you find any parallels with popular styles of music today? Explain.
3

Great jazz musicians develop their own distinctive sound and style of playing. One of the enjoyable aspects of listening to jazz is coming to recognize some of these great "musical personalities." For instance, a fan of Louis Armstrong may be able to identify him on a recording after hearing only a few notes. Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke were two very distinct voices in jazz on the trumpet/cornet. Listen carefully to Armstrong's trumpet solo on "West End Blues" (both the beginning of the song and the solo starting at 2:32 in the track) and compare it to Beiderbecke's cornet solo on "Singin' the Blues." Can you tell that they are different players with different approaches? How are they identifiably different or similar? Consider use of range (low or high notes), technique (playing slow or fast), timbre (brilliant or mellow sound), vibrato (straight tone or with vibrato), and any other aspects you notice. If this seems difficult at first, try listening repeatedly.





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