Help a student out?

[Manda]

I'm doing a project in my English class about jazz. There are two requirements I really need help with.

One is that I need 10 lyrics-- 3 from the early days, 3 from the not-so-early days, and 3 from modern times. I have three from the early days, but I need some from the 60s and 70s and some from the 90s and 00s. Any recommendations for notable lyrics selections?

Also, I need notable jazz figures. I mean, THE innovators. I know jazz musicians are all innovators, but I need names of people who tend to be the embodiment of jazz. I have to put together a thorough Powerpoint presentation, and I need information about some of the leaders in the genre.

I'd greatly appreciate any help.

Thank you!

[Scottone]

Well, you have a tough task ahead of you because, as I was discussing on another post, jazz is primarily an instrumental music form. Many of the songs seen as part of jazz have been taken from other sources- Broadway/Hollywood showtunes or movie themes; the hit parade/top 40; other countries, such as Cuba and Brazil.

Still, there is hope. There have been a few lyricists in jazz that have made important contributions to the music:
JON HENDRICKS- far and away the most prolific lyricist jazz has seen. A master of vocalese - writing lyrics to a recording of an improvised solo - the breadth of his output is truly amazing. Some albums to check out:
Sing a Song of Basie
Lambert, Hendricks & Ross sing Ellington
Vocalese- Manhattan Transfer
HORACE SILVER- a major jazz composer/pianist, he has written lyrics to several of his songs. Most are light and witty, more conversational than poetic. Not a singer himself, the best collection of his words in one recording are performed by Dee Dee Bridgewater on "Love and Peace-A Tribute to Horace Silver". Not a great singer, she nonetheless has done the first singer's album of his stuff.
BILLY STRAYHORN- forever known as Duke Ellington's right-hand man, he was a talented composer and lyricist on his own. His best-known lyric, "Lush Life", is a great study of feigned nonchalance and sophistication, in the aftermath of a romantic breakup. If the images seem somewhat forced, they are, not unlike a drunk walking overly straight, thinking no one will notice...
Other song lyrics by Strays:
Day Dream
Something To Live For
A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing

Well, these should get you started. Many jazz singers, myself included, have written lyrics to our own and/or others' melodies but, by the parameters of your project, these are prominent figures in our music; you'll have no problem finding music and bio information on them.

Good luck!

[Saundra Hummer]

Chet Baker did some singing, and it was considered inovative at the time, and there is some argument as to whether he was any good at it or not, but he had an album out that sold pretty well back in the late 50's.

Even Dizzy sometimes did some yelling about, and would sing some crazy things at times.

There is a site I just found on the web, great pictures, bio's, and links to web sites, you can even listen to a song or two of the featured artists, which I think is just great, and here is the address:

http://drummerworld.com

There are some good biography's there and of course after you find the people that are talked about on that site, the instramentalists, like John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Bud Shank, and so on, you will be able to look them up on google.com, and just keep following links and you will find exactely what you'll need, and if you have any trouble, just hit this site again, and any number of people will probably steer you around a lot better than I can.

[Scottone]

Yes, Sandi, Chet and Diz did also sing; what our friend was looking for were jazz lyricists. I don't recall Chet writing any words for songs; Diz had quite a few tunes, but not what I'd call lyrics--'salt peanuts'; the 'I'll never go back to Georgia' intro he used for Manteca; and various scat vocals, but someone else put lyrics to 'Night in Tunisia', 'Con Alma', 'Groovin' High' and the others.

Keep sharing with us from LighthouseLand...

SW

[bubber]

You ask for THE innovators in jazz, and I guess that might make this an everlasting thread as opinions on that matter probably will differ. I further guess that you'll have to limit yourself to just a few names. I'll give it a try:

LOUIS ARMSTRONG
DUKE ELLINGTON
LESTER YOUNG
CHARLIE PARKER
JOHN COLTRANE
MILES DAVIS
ORNETTE COLEMAN

There are tens or maybe hundreds of other candidates, but these
IMHO are the hot seven you can't escape.

[Scottone]

we all have our Top 7, 10, 100 lists of influential musicians. our thread here was started by someone looking for jazz lyricists.
anybody got some more suggestions of jazz wordsmiths??

[Saundra Hummer]

I think that Manda is really looking for both. I wish I knew of more lyricists, but sorry!

As far as influential inovators of jazz itself, there are so many, and so many divergent styles. How about Woody Herman for way back when? Artie Shaw? Or would you consider all of their music swing? Some of Johnny Mercers songs could even be considered jazz. Jazz musicians sure did play them. He also would sing his compositions. I don't know if Nina Simone or Carman McRay ever wrote any of their own music or not. Some of their choices almost sounded like it could be their own.

[PDEE]

Originally posted by Saundra Hummer
I think that Manda is really looking for both. I wish I knew of more lyricists, but sorry!

.

I think Manda would be better off if she explained what she wanted.. she says lyrics

Manda....


"One is that I need 10 lyrics-- 3 from the early days, 3 from the not-so-early days, and 3 from modern times."

Give us examples of the '' Three you have from the early days"

As for innovators....... for a short paper that should be fairly easy.. for an in depth study you are abot to " Burns - ified"

[Muskrat Ramble]

Fwiw, if I had to choose just a small group of major figures/innovators, I'd go for the same ones that Bubber did. For a few extras, add Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach or Art Blakey.

[Frank Mullen]

Manda--Tread carefully here---we all have our favorites, but Bubbers list of seven is one I think we can agree with,even if our favorites are not on it. I would add one more with pretty universal credential --Bix Beiderbecke.

[Frank Mullen]

And if you have room--I would add Jelly Roll Morton and Dizzy Gillespie