This segment you're about to read has been a long time coming, since from the time I created this blog my dearest wish was two fold: introduce and encourage local and hometown music, and educate the newly interested listener on the history behind their favorite bands, as well as the unique state that fostered them. So, it is with these ideals in mind I begin the first entry in my special segment:
New Jersey: Sounds of History
I'll start off basic for everyone by covering the beginnings of music in New Jersey. New Jersey as most of you already know is situated between two major homes of long time musical breeding grounds and influence, New York City and Philadelphia. Besides the heavy amout of cultural and societial influences the two Metropolitain areas have on the Garden State (Hence the common usage of the terms North and South Jersey among the states population), these two cities have also introduced a wide breadth of eclectic influences to the bustling music scene. In Philadelphia much of the Philly motown, soul, R&B, and Blues went on to influence many New Jersey musicians, and New York City's abundance of Rap, Pop, Jazz and (perhaps most siginificantly) Punk scenes couldn't help but bleed over into the stylings of New Jersey music.
Some of the first big names to come out of the New Jersey music scene include:
James P Johnson, a pianist hailing from New Brunswick NJ who became famous as one of the first jazzmen to make famous the "Harlem Stride" style. A "Strider" was a performer who continuously played with their left hand to keep the beat while performing. At his peak, Johnson was widely considered the "King of New York Jazz", and was an inspiration for such famous performers as Art Tatum, Duke Ellington, Newark NJ native Fats Waller, and Red Bank NJ's Count Basie. One of his most well known pieces, "The Charleston" is still considered one of the most iconic Jazz piano songs in musical history.
As mentioned above, Red Bank's Count Basie is also an accomplished jazz pianist, though this is most definitely a massive understatement. Basie was not only one of the most profound Jazzmen of his time, but also a leading influence and means of introduction for many New Jersey natives to his particular brand of Big Band sound. His many accomplishments and contributions to New Jersey music (as well as music in general) have earned him great esteem, even leading his hometown of Red Bank New Jersey to erect and name a prominent theatre after him, as well as a nearby local field. One of his most iconic songs is "One O'Clock Jump" which has become a staple of countless jazz and big band esemble performances that play to this day.
To round off our Jazz personas, we have the undeniable king of jazz trumpet, Mr. Dizzy Gillespie. Instantly recognizable for his signature bent trumpet and influence on the development of bebop and modern jazz. Gillespie, while born in Cheraw, North Carolina hailed from Englewood NJ for the majority of his life, and was widely considered a trumpet virtuoso seemingly without match. He is known to be both a major influence and sometimes teacher to some of Jazz's greatest names, including Miles Davis, Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown, Arturo Sandoval, Jon Faddis, Chuck Mangione, and even Philadelphia's own Lee Morgan. One of Gillespie's own songs, "A Night In Tunisia" is conisdered to be one of the most classic pieces of Jazz music ever performed.
It is no surprise that with such a large number of jazz, bebop, and big band artists hailing from the Garden State that one of the most innovative new genres of the past 25 years shares part of it's origins within New Jersey's own music scene; Ska (which fear not, we will explore in depth in a future installment). Well, I'll leave you with this little history lesson and some amazing hometown musicians to explore and take in. Remember always give it a chance, because this music is what helped create the thriving music scene we enjoy today. Respect it's history, support your scene. Till next Time!
Cheers,
Matt
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