Avant-Garde Jazz

Characteristics of Avant-Garde

• Literal Meaning – (Fr.) “advanced guard” or “vanguard.”

• Refers to individuals who are “ahead of their time.”

• Art that is experimental or innovative.

TRANSITIONS

• Miles Davis Quintet– LISTENING EXCERPT: CD TWO TRACK 9

• John Coltrane– LISTENING EXCERPT: CD TWO, TRACK 6– LISTENING EXCERPT: CD TWO, TRACK 7

Definitions of Import• Atonality

– Term borrowed from Classical music genre of which Arnold Schoenberg was a pioneer.

– Lacking a tonal center or tonality.– Often associated with 12-tone serialism.

• Dissonance– Harsh combination of tones, discord.

• Modal Jazz– Extensive repetition of one or two chords

(Impressions).• World Music

– Based on regional, cultural norms and/or values.– Listening Example: Javanese Gamelan Orchestra

Ornette Coleman (b. 1930 - )• Alto Saxophonist• Performed in style of “Free Jazz”• His Trio consisted of saxophone, bass and

drums.

LISTENING EXCERPT: CD TWO, TRACK 5

Cecil Taylor (b. 1929 - )• Pianist/Composer/Bandleader• Often avoids playing with modern jazz swing

feel.• Emphasizes complex musical textures.• Music is often frenetic with few calm moments

(Listening Example).

Bill Evans (1929 – 1980)• Pianist/Composer• His harmonization's were

based on FrenchImpressionist composers.– Maurice Ravel & Claude

Debussy• Played in a rhythmic style

known as “floating pulse.”– Displaced phrases and

rhythms.

LISTENING EXCERPT: CD TWO, TRACK 8.

Astor Piazzolla (1921 – 1992)• Argentine composer.

– Tango Nuevo• Played the bandoneón.

– Large accordion w/buttons instead of keys.

• Family moved to NYC, returned to home in 1937.