BBC Home


Accessibility help
Text only
BBC Homepage
BBC Music

Sold on Song. Classic songs, covers, songwriting and more.

Listen Live.

 Full Schedule
-

Radio 2
Sold on Song
What's On
Search For A Songwriter
Songs A-Z
Artists A-Z
Songwriting Guides
Genres
Glossary
Newsletter

Contact Us

Like this page?
Send it to a friend!
 



JAZZ  FACTS

Jazz Analysis

Genres  >  Jazz Jazz Facts About Jazz All musical genres – folk, rock or even classical – have included elements of improvisation. But in jazz, improvisation provides the entire foundation.
select this link to read more...

Key events in  jazz   Miles Davis
 In 1949 the jazz trumpeter leads his new nonet - that's a nine-piece band - in a series of highly influential recordings known as Birth of the Cool, signalling a whole new and more laid-back approach to jazz.
  Round Midnight
The world waits until 1986 for what is arguably the best film about jazz. Round Midnight hits the screens with Dexter Gordon playing tenorist Dale Turner whose screen life was based on jazz legends Lester Young and Bud Powell. It wins a host of awards, including an Oscar for Best Score for Herbie Hancock.
  A King Is Born
In 1935, California's Palorma Ballroom plays host to the final concert of a broadcast nationwide tour of the Benny Goodman Orchestra. Said by many to mark the beginning of the swing era, and his reign as the undisputed King of Swing.
  Dizzy & Bird
In 1945 Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker finally get into the recording studio together to record "Groovin' High", one of the anthems of their revolutionary new music, Bebop.
  Satchmo
In New Orleans in 1918 King Oliver discovers trumpet virtuoso Louis Armstrong who becomes one of the world's biggest, most charismatic and readily identifiable stars of jazz and popular music.

Key  jazz  songwriters

Miles Davis
  Miles Davis
 One of jazz's musical pathfinders, Miles Davis pushed, pulled and poked at the form - slowing it down, electrifying it and generally reinventing it whenever he got the chance.

  Weirdo
  Somethin' else
  Bitches Brew
  

Duke Ellington
  Duke Ellington
The composer of many jazz standards - including "Take The A Train", "It Don't Mean A Thing" and "Rockin' In Rhythm" - bandleader Ellington, the son of a White House butler, is a gigantic figure in the genre. Many of his compositions were adapted as popular songs and showtunes.
  Mood Indigo with Louis Armstrong
  Prelude To A Kiss
  It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
 

Charlie Parker
  Charlie Parker
Jazz's arch improviser and possibly the greatest saxophonist ever, Parker and his expressive compositions have cast a giant shadow over generations of jazz musicians.
  Moose The Mooch
  Hot Blues
  Dexterity
 

Genres Rock Pop Folk Country Easy Blues Soul Jazz Reggae

More songs.

More artists.
  Newsletter sign-up

Sign up for updates on new songs, documentaries and live events

Music latest

BBC Music Profiles
Discover all you need on your favourite artist in BBC Music's great collection of profiles.

  DON'T MISS

Doves

Doves
Special guests on Dermot's show this week
About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy
 

Explore the BBC

Just to let you know, we're no longer updating this site. More information here

Change Text Only Settings

Graphic version of this page