Jazz

Jazz

A style of music characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and usually a regular or forceful rhythm. It emerged at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States from a confluence of African and European music traditions.

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Jazz

Interlude

Music; Jazz

An additional section in a tune, especially one between one person's solo and another's. The Dizzy Gillespie standard A Night In Tunisia has a famous interlude.

Broken time

Music; Jazz

A way of playing in which the beat is not stated explicitly. Irregular, improvised syncopation. Especially applied to bass and drum playing.

Quote

Music; Jazz

A snatch of some other well-known tune thrown into a solo. A good quote is unexpected, incongruous and yet seems to fit perfectly. Some quotes are clichés, as 'Grand Canyon Suite' in 'All the Things ...

Modal

Music; Jazz

(1) Said of a section, or a whole tune, having static harmony (using one chord) and using scales from a particular mode, most typically the Dorian. (2) Having a key feeling derived not from dynamic ...

AABA song form

Music; Jazz

The most common form in jazz music. This type of song has an opening section (A), a bridge (B) before transitioning to the final A section. Typical of songs by Gershwin, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, ...

A section

Music; Jazz

The first section of a tune, typically 8 bars; the main theme.

Progression

Music; Jazz

A definite series of chords, forming a passage with some harmonic unity or dramatic meaning. One speaks of the progressions that crop up repeatedly in different tunes, and studies how to negotiate ...