Gypsy jazz as a special style in music. Is jazz-manush gypsy jazz? What is the basis of gypsy jazz?
Jazz-manouche (Manush) or gypsy-jazz (Gypsy) is a movement originally from Europe, combining the traditional motives of the gypsies of the Manush group and swing. The solo instrument is an acoustic guitar, joined by a violin, accordion, saxophone and clarinet. There are no drums, percussion is created by a special guitar rhythm.
Performers
The European style of jazz, which combined ethnic traditional motifs of the gypsy group “Manouche” and swing, was called jazz-manouche or gypsy-jazz. The acoustic guitar is usually the solo instrument of a group performing music in this style. Accordion, violin, clarinet and saxophone can also play this role. The missing drums are replaced by an accompanying guitar, with the help of which percussion is implemented. The leading part is distinguished by its fast rhythm and transitions to improvisation characteristic of the style. Among the important elements, it is worth highlighting the gypsy scale - the Hungarian minor, as well as the double melodic minor, which is combined with auxiliary tones and chromaticisms. The weak beat is emphasized with the help of rhythm, and the rhythmic pattern swings.
Gypsy musicians played in places where large numbers of ordinary people gathered: at fairs, squares, and markets. In these places, dance music was mainly in demand, and the most successful was the one who made those around him dance. The melody should be simple, but beautiful, emotional, sincere and temperamental. Those gypsy clans that found refuge in the Parisian suburbs at the end of the 19th century actively used the Bal-musette style. This French dance has been popular since 1980 and was actively performed in squares. To this day, one of the foundations of the gypsy-jazz style is its melody.
In the 20-30s of the last century in Paris there was a need for some new musical direction. Django Reinhard and the Ferre brothers armed themselves with these prerequisites, which they began to develop jazz-manush, which instantly acquired a large army of fans. However, in the 40s, the popularity of the style faded under the massive onslaught of bebop and other jazz styles. Mass interest in gypsum jazz was lost, however, it was not forgotten. Today this is one of the most interesting ethnic trends jazz music, which continues to develop.
The appearance of such a musical movement as gypsy jazz is a little short of its centenary. This is a style that originated in the 30s of the turbulent 20th century in one of the most beautiful European capitals in the world, Paris. Undoubtedly, its founder is the legendary virtuoso and guitarist Django Reinhardt. He was not engaged in concert activities alone, but together with the Ferre brothers. The starting point was Paris, and then followed (as they say today) tours throughout Europe.
The first steps of a new style across a large continent
The first few decades in Europe are characterized by the fact that everything that comes from overseas, namely from America, becomes popular here. Records containing unfamiliar compositions in the jazz style are becoming very popular and spreading quickly. The legendary Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong are touring Europe to sold-out audiences.
According to the requirements of the listeners
The second name of this musical direction is jazz-manush. Experts say that it originated in those days when musicians living in France sought to remake popular music that came from overseas in their native Gypsy manner.
The public, which had previously had enough of the tango, passo doble and waltz, was hungry for new works and rhythms, so the musicians tried to adapt new pieces for chamber ensembles, which included guitar, violin and accordion.
Fact: Few people know that Django Reinhardt played with only three fingers. The reason for this was an injury he received in early childhood. One day there was a fire in the camp where Django lived. As a result of the tragedy, the future musician’s ring and little fingers on his left hand did not move.
What happened in the beginning
Self Musical direction characterized by a wonderful combination of traditional guitar playing techniques, but with a small reservation, because it is popular in swing and among gypsies. Music of this style is performed not only with the help of a guitar. It is complemented by the sound of accordion and violin.
In 1946, the musician was invited to America, where he had the opportunity to play with Duke Ellington's orchestra. Django was an illiterate Belgian gypsy who is one of the most legendary figures in the world of music, particularly among the people who made jazz.
The founder himself worked with various creative groups, but his role was always the same - he was a soloist. It was thanks to his playing style and unique manner of performance that music experts of the time agreed that this was the birth of a new direction that would definitely have followers.
Reinhard created the ensemble together with violinist Stefan Grappelli, but in addition to them, two rhythm guitars and a double bass took part in it. The quintet in question worked at a club that was beautifully recreated in films like Head in the Clouds.
What is the basis of gypsy jazz?
Django's performance was different from anything the French and other Europeans had heard before. The time of the 30s of the 20th century was marked by the emergence of a new musical culture. Improvisations performed by Django still amaze people with their imagery and even perfection.
Manush's jazz is based on the Waltz - Musette. Today, few people remember this dance; all that remains is a word that someone heard somewhere. It was extremely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some sources have preserved information that on the basis of this waltz a separate musical direction was created, which was called Bal-musette.
The gypsies quickly adapted to this new style. After a short time they mastered it so masterfully that it became theirs. business card" If you turn to musical history, it turns out that at the beginning of the 20th century there was not a single museto ensemble that did not include gypsies.
Gypsy children were not taught to read and write. The founder of the new musical direction himself did not know notes and did not keep any form of recording of his creations. All things considered, the ability to perform melodies in this style was a good income.
Django created a beautiful and very original style thanks to his individuality. He managed to fit a swing into the Bal-musette, which no one had previously succeeded in doing.
The basis of the new musical style is a series of literally mesmerizing improvisations - arpeggios. Gypsy jazz stands out not only for its individuality, it is easy to identify by its high-speed performance technique.
Characteristics
Many musical styles influence each other, but Manush's jazz is the most influential modern culture like gipsy jazz. The features of this direction in music are such elements as:
- “Hungarian minor” - gypsy scale;
- chromaticism;
- melodic minor;
- emphasizing the weak beat;
- high-speed fourth playing of chords;
- rhythmic pattern characteristic of swing.
Amazing fact about gypsies
Many have noticed that the gypsies are a special people. Slandered many times, like the Slavs. However, almost everyone knows that one of the features of the culture of this people is that secrets, for example, of performing skills, are a heirloom. They are passed down from generation to generation exclusively orally, so to speak, from father to son. This also applies to gypsy jazz.
Despite all the availability of knowledge, gypsies today do not read musical notations. Anyone who wants to succeed and learn something must spend a lot of time next to professionals, adopting their technique, manner of performance and remembering various subtleties. The same applies to thoroughly memorizing compositions with possible variations.
Musical instruments for a new style
The main instruments in gypsy jazz are the violin and guitar. This can be explained by the fact that these are the two main instruments that perform solo parts, i.e. are leading. Of course, one cannot deny the fact that minor roles accordion and clarinet are often used.
At first, the ensemble did not include a rhythm section. In the years of its inception and formation, rhythm was played on the guitar. Many people do this now, using a special percussion technique called “la pompe”.
In rare cases, a double bass can be found in the ensemble. The usual and, one might say, traditional composition of the ensemble performing jazz music Manush includes a guitar, violin, two rhythm guitars and bass. As a variation the double bass and accordion can be found.
This musical direction has its own business card, namely a specific acoustic guitar, called Selmer. This instrument is somewhat different from its relatives in that it has a rather unusual resonator hole. Today, the most widely used instruments are those with an oval shape.
To perform Manush's jazz, the usual guitars of traditional sizes are not used. This is an important aspect of the entire musical movement, which mainly affects the quality of the performed works.
A small guitar allows the sound to be a little more subdued. Someone even called the sound of this instrument “nasal.” Despite such an unflattering definition, it was precisely this feature that made the new musical direction so popular in a short period of time.
Jazz Manush today
The musical direction in question does not go unnoticed today. A huge number of music lovers and critics turn their eyes and ears to him. Such a well-known magazine as “Music Marker” wrote in 2011 that “over the eighty years of the existence of such a musical direction as Manush jazz, referred to as “gypsy music,” no kinder, more emotional and even somewhat crazy direction has appeared.”
It should be noted that musical style Manush jazz has become established in America and Europe. In the vastness Russian Federation it evokes slightly different associations and, nevertheless, it is the same jazz direction as swing, Dixieland, cool, funk and many others.
If we give a brief description of the style that Django created, it will be an amazing mixture of New Orleans jazz, the style that French salons usually played, as well as that gypsy tradition that combines light melancholy, wild temperament and even romanticism.
The great musician, who became the founder of the movement that all modern gypsies are proud of, passed away at the peak of his popularity as a result of a heart attack. He was only 43 years old. Compositions such as “Minor swing” and “Nuages” are today considered jazz standards recognized throughout the world. Many filmmakers today turn to these works, inserting them into their artistic creations.
After the departure of the founder, gypsy jazz seemed to be forgotten, but today more and more guitarists are appearing who play in this particular manner. Among them are such French musicians as Chavolo and Dorado Schmidt, Bireli Lagren, as well as the Rosenberg brothers. Among them is the great-great-great-grandson of the famous critic Frederick Belinsky.
In almost every country in modern Europe, as well as in every major city in America, there are clubs that play similar music. We have to give credit to the musicians who don't try to imitate Django, because it's pointless. Each of them performs works based on their own aesthetic worldviews.
Some people focus on gypsy traditions, while others, on the contrary, prefer traditional jazz motifs.
Jazz Quartet "Manush"
Jazz is a musical movement that has swept the whole world since the 19th century. Its origins are connected with the blues. This direction arose as a combination of several musical cultures. Instead of many other words, it is only worth noting that thousands of people from all over the world love and appreciate this music.
Origin of Jazz
Jazz is a musical genre that originated in African-American communities in the United States. Developed into late XIX and the beginning of the twentieth centuries. Jazz, born in America, can be seen as a reflection of the cultural diversity and individualism of this country.
Intellectuals around the world hailed jazz as "one of America's original art forms." As jazz spread throughout the world, it drew on various national musical cultures, which gave rise to different genres.
The question of the origin of the word "jazz" has led to considerable research. It is believed to be related to slang, a slang term dating back to 1860.
There are many styles: classic jazz; hot jazz Chicago style; swing style; Kansas City; gypsy jazz (it is also called jazz-manush).
Gypsy jazz
Gypsy jazz (also known as European manouche jazz) is a style of jazz music believed to have been launched by Gypsy guitarist Jean (Django) Reinhardt in Paris in the 1930s. Since this style comes from France, and Django is from the Manouche gypsy clan, he is often called by the French name Jazz Manouche, or, alternatively, manouche jazz. The term is now widely used for this style of music.
In those days, dance music was welcomed, and many of the dance hall musicians were gypsies. They traveled throughout much of Central Europe with no allegiance to any particular country. Some of them remained nomads, and some settled where they could find work. They brought with them many ideas and infused regional popular music with their own styles. So, jazz-manush music was influenced by cultures different countries: Russia, Italy, Belgium, Spain and the Middle East, as well as the Balkans.
Peculiarities
With the advent of bebop (at the end of the 40s), interest in gypsy jazz was somewhat reduced, only the style continued to exist and became one of the most beloved areas of today's jazz.
Even though there are many instrumental compositions, a band featuring one guitar, violin, two rhythm guitars and bass is often the norm. Jazz manush aims for an acoustic sound, even when played in amplified concerts.
Top Performers
Below are the artists of this genre who are listened to by thousands of people:
- Louis Armstrong (American jazz trumpeter, vocalist, bandleader).
- Django Reinhardt (Jean (Django) Reinhardt (January 23, 1910 - May 16, 1953), guitarist and composer.
- Stefan Grappelli (January 26, 1908 – December 1, 1997) was innovative jazz violinist, who founded the string group with Django Reinhardt in 1934.
- Biréli Lagrène was born on September 4, 1966 in Soufflenheim (Bas-Rhin) into a traditional gypsy family and community. He began playing the guitar at the age of four.
- "Rosenberg Trio" - two guitarists and one bassist.
- "Lost Fingers" - (2008 to present) acoustic trio based in Quebec City.
10 Great Gypsy Jazz Songs:
- "Small Swing" (Django Reinhardt).
- "For Sephora" (Stochelo Rosenberg).
- "Nouages" (Django Reinhardt).
- "Belleville" (Django Reinhardt).
- "Dark Eyes" (traditional).
- "Troublant Bolero" (Django Reinhardt).
- "Small Blues" (Django Reinhardt).
- "I'll See You in My Dreams" (Jones/Kahn).
- "Coquette" (Green/Lombardo).
- "Sweet Georgia Brown" (Bernie/Pinkard).
As the famous proverb says, there are no friends according to taste. Everyone listens to the music they like best. After all, it inspires, gives a lot of energy and emotions. And jazz-manush remains one of the most popular jazz styles today.
Noun, number of synonyms: 1 jazz (16) Dictionary of synonyms ASIS. V.N. Trishin. 2013… Synonym dictionary
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