Glossary
'It Don't Mean a Thing' (1943)
A significant piece by Duke Ellington that exemplifies jazz innovation, blending improvisation and sophisticated orchestration, and served as a form of cultural resistance.
Example:
Listening to 'It Don't Mean a Thing' (1943) reveals the complex musicality and cultural depth of Duke Ellington's work.
12-bar chord progression
A common and foundational chord sequence often used in blues music, providing a predictable structure for improvisation.
Example:
Many classic blues songs follow the distinctive pattern of a 12-bar chord progression.
African American Vernacular English (AAVE)
A distinct dialect of English often used in blues lyrics, reflecting the linguistic patterns and cultural expressions of African American communities.
Example:
The use of African American Vernacular English in literature and music adds authenticity and cultural depth.
All-Black cast musicals
Major Hollywood studio productions featuring exclusively Black actors, which provided rare opportunities for Black talent in the film industry.
Example:
Films like All-Black cast musicals were important for showcasing Black talent, even if they sometimes reflected the era's limitations.
Apollo Theater
A historic venue in Harlem, NYC, that became a crucial platform for Black performers during the Harlem Renaissance and beyond.
Example:
Many legendary Black artists got their start performing at the iconic Apollo Theater.
Bebop
A complex and fast-paced jazz subgenre that emerged in the 1940s-50s, emphasizing virtuosic improvisation and intricate harmonies.
Example:
Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were pioneers of Bebop, pushing the boundaries of jazz improvisation.
Big band swing
A popular jazz subgenre from the 1930s-40s, characterized by large ensembles and a danceable rhythm.
Example:
During the Swing Era, people flocked to dance halls to enjoy the energetic sounds of Big band swing.
Blues Music
A genre of music that originated during slavery in the American South, serving as a powerful expression of African American experience, hardship, and resilience.
Example:
The soulful melodies of Blues Music often tell stories of struggle and perseverance.
Cabarets
Entertainment venues in the early 20th century where Black performers found success, featuring singers, dancers, and comedians.
Example:
Many talented Black artists honed their skills performing in cabarets before gaining wider recognition.
Cabin in the Sky (1943)
A landmark Hollywood film featuring an all-Black cast, including Ethel Waters, Lena Horne, and Louis Armstrong, which was a breakthrough for African American performers.
Example:
Cabin in the Sky (1943) is often studied for its role in challenging and reflecting racial dynamics in Hollywood cinema.
Cool jazz
A jazz subgenre from the 1950s-70s known for its relaxed tempos, lyrical melodies, and often softer tone compared to bebop.
Example:
Miles Davis's 'Birth of the Cool' album is a quintessential example of Cool jazz.
Cultural resistance
The use of artistic expression, such as music or performance, to subtly or overtly challenge oppressive systems and affirm identity during times of segregation or hardship.
Example:
During the Civil Rights Movement, gospel music served as a powerful form of cultural resistance, inspiring hope and solidarity.
Duke Ellington
A highly influential jazz composer, bandleader, and pianist whose work, like 'It Don't Mean a Thing', exemplified jazz innovation and cultural resistance.
Example:
The sophisticated arrangements of Duke Ellington defined an era of jazz music.
Electric blues
A style of blues music that emerged in northern cities, featuring amplified instruments and full bands, reflecting urban industrial life.
Example:
Muddy Waters was a pioneer of Electric blues, shaping the sound of Chicago's music scene.
Ethel Waters
A pioneering African American performer who headlined her own TV show in 1939 and was nominated for an Academy Award, starring in *Cabin in the Sky*.
Example:
Ethel Waters's career broke significant barriers for Black women in entertainment.
Free jazz
A highly experimental and avant-garde jazz subgenre from the 1950s-70s that often disregards traditional structures, harmony, and rhythm.
Example:
Ornette Coleman was a leading figure in the Free jazz movement, challenging conventional jazz forms.
Great Migration
The mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to northern cities, which significantly transformed the evolution of blues music.
Example:
The Great Migration led to the development of new urban music styles as Black communities settled in cities like Chicago.
Hard bop
A jazz subgenre from the 1950s-70s that incorporated elements of rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues, often with a more aggressive and soulful feel than cool jazz.
Example:
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers were central to the development of Hard bop.
Harlem Renaissance
A significant cultural and intellectual movement in the early 1900s, centered in Harlem, NYC, that celebrated African American identity and arts.
Example:
During the Harlem Renaissance, Black artists used their work to express pride and challenge societal norms.
Improvisation
The spontaneous creation of music during a performance, a fundamental characteristic emphasized in both blues and jazz.
Example:
Jazz musicians often engage in brilliant improvisation, creating unique melodies on the spot.
Jazz
Considered America's most significant homegrown art form, originating in African American communities and blending African and European musical traditions.
Example:
The vibrant sounds of Jazz are known for their complex rhythms and expressive melodies.
Jazz Age
An era in the early 1900s characterized by the widespread popularity of jazz music and a broader cultural shift, significantly aided by radio and record labels.
Example:
The vibrant energy of the Jazz Age saw new dance crazes sweep across the nation.
Josephine Baker
A renowned Black performer whose career was launched by the Broadway musical *Shuffle Along*, later achieving international fame as a dancer and singer.
Example:
Josephine Baker became a global icon, celebrated for her captivating performances and activism.
Katherine Dunham
A groundbreaking choreographer and dancer whose work, including for *Cabin in the Sky*, fused African and Caribbean dance with ballet and modern dance.
Example:
Katherine Dunham's innovative choreography brought diverse cultural influences to the American stage.
Langston Hughes
A prominent writer during the Harlem Renaissance known for celebrating Black identity and experience in his works.
Example:
Students often study the poetry of Langston Hughes to understand the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance.
Modal jazz
A jazz subgenre from the 1950s-70s that uses musical modes rather than traditional chord progressions as the basis for improvisation.
Example:
Miles Davis's 'Kind of Blue' is a landmark album in Modal jazz.
New Orleans
The city in the early 1900s where jazz music originated within African American communities.
Example:
New Orleans is celebrated as the birthplace of jazz, a city rich with musical heritage.
Paul Robeson
A prominent Black performer and activist whose career began with *Shuffle Along*, known for his powerful voice and challenging of racial injustice.
Example:
Paul Robeson used his platform as an artist to advocate for civil rights and social change.
Shuffle Along (1921)
A groundbreaking Broadway musical that launched the careers of stars like Josephine Baker and Paul Robeson, marking a significant moment for Black performers.
Example:
The success of Shuffle Along (1921) demonstrated the immense talent of Black artists on Broadway.
Stereotypes
Oversimplified and often negative portrayals of groups of people, which Black actors often faced in early mainstream Hollywood films.
Example:
Early Hollywood films often perpetuated harmful stereotypes about African Americans, limiting their roles to caricatures.
Stormy Weather (1943)
An all-Black cast musical featuring prominent artists like Fats Waller and Cab Calloway, released in the same year as *Cabin in the Sky*.
Example:
Alongside Cabin in the Sky (1943), Stormy Weather (1943) showcased a wealth of Black musical talent during the wartime era.
Syncopation
A rhythmic technique in music that involves placing accents on normally unaccented beats, creating a distinctive off-beat feel, common in jazz.
Example:
The lively rhythm of a jazz piece often features prominent syncopation, making it feel energetic and unpredictable.
Zora Neale Hurston
An influential writer of the Harlem Renaissance who explored African American folklore and identity in her literary works.
Example:
Zora Neale Hurston's novels provide deep insights into the lives and culture of Black communities in the South.