What is European jazz?
European jazz is a genre of jazz music that emerged in Europe in the early 20th century. It was characterized by its use of polyrhythms, complex chord progressions and modal melodies.
European Jazz is an amalgam of Afro-American and European musical influences. It was created by musicians influenced by their exposure to other cultures. The first European jazz group was the Original Dixieland Jass Band (ODJB), formed in 1917 by Creole trumpeter Nick LaRocca.
The first European jazz record dates back to 1878 when Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five and Hot Seven were recorded in Paris. . The first jazz solo to be recorded was James Reese Europe’s “Livery Stable Blues” in 1904. Then, in 1916, renowned jazz horn player and bandleader Bix Beiderbecke recorded “Sidewalks of New York”.
European jazz bands are generally small ensembles focused on improvisation and virtuosity, as opposed to other types of jazz band, which are generally large orchestras focused on collective improvisation and composition.
History of European Jazz
Jazz in Europe is often associated with the 1920s, as this is when jazz began to spread from America around the world. The first European jazz band was founded in 1914, when a Swedish musician named Hugo Aspegren gathered some friends to play for him.
Jazz bands quickly became popular throughout Europe and continued to gain followers even during the Second World War because they were the only places where people could hear jazz.
The first European jazz bands were usually large ensembles, sometimes with over a hundred musicians.
European jazz through the influence of Latin American music
Latin American influence on European music is not a new phenomenon. Jazz originating in the United States has been strongly influenced by Latin American music, and has been spreading to Europe for decades.
The influence of Latin American music on European jazz can be seen in the works of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.
The main reason for this is that jazz was strongly associated with the African-American community from its very beginnings, and this association has grown stronger over time.
Composition of European jazz bands of the time
Most early European jazz bands featured both string and wind instruments, an unusual combination for most musical styles at the time. They also often included brass, drums and percussion in addition to the standard piano, guitar, bass and drums.
What is European jazz today?
Today’s European jazz scene is diverse, encompassing many different styles of music. Some jazz musicians play traditional American jazz, while others experiment with more modern or fusion sounds.
The best European jazz albums
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