Essay Favorite Instrument

Kenny Garrett is one of my favorite Alto saxophone players. He was born in Detroit, in 1960 and started to play saxophone in his childhood since his father also played tenor sax. Kenny Garrett’s career as a saxophonist started early at the age of 17 with a saxophone spot in Mercer Ellington’s revived Ellington Orchestra. And then he seated in Mel Lewis’ group (a traditional route for young and aspiring jazzers), and performing Charles Mingus’ music with Dannie Richmond Quartet. Garrett earned a complete musical education, in a series of surprisingly mainstream jazz groups, considering his edgy and experimental, funky style.

Hammerstein collaborated with numerous composers,such as jerome kern with whom he wrote show Boat,Vincent Youmans,Rudolf Friml,Richard A.

Charlie had a lonely childhood due to his parents’ separation when he was just 7 years old. After his dad abandoned him, his mom bought Charlie a saxophone to cheer him up. His mom worked two to three jobs and while she worked at night, Charlie would walk around town and listen to jazz. At the age of 11, he was playing the saxophone. Since he didn’t have any formal training, Charlie taught himself by practicing up to 14 hours a day and memorizing records made by Lester Young. When he turned 14, he dropped out of high school and joined his first band and started experimenting different styles. He played remarkably fast lines, added lengthy unpredictable beats which later became known as Be-bop.

(1) Jazz was always the type of music people danced to. The instruments they used were different too, therefore jazz was the most common type of music. One of the most widely used musical instruments were trumpets. They were always the leading voice of jazz back in the 20’s. The saxophone was also one of the most important instruments back then.

Over the years, Mr.Barone has played multiple instruments. He has a saxophone and helps others with their instruments. He plays jazz band with us. Mr.Barone can can recognize multiple instruments and can play them.

For this assignment, I went to the Basically Beethoven Festival at the Dallas City Performance Hall. The recital was opened with a few pieces played by the rising stars Madera Wind Quintet. The main performance included Rachel McDonald on the viola, Joseph Kuipers on the cello, Grace Wollett on the violin, Scott Wollett on the oboe, and the great pianist Alex McDonald. They performed a compilation of famous composers’ masterpieces.

As I observed the stage I noticed that there were a variety of instruments played in the jazz ensemble. The instruments that were played included string (grand piano, electric guitar, electric bass, bass), brass (trumpet, trombone, French horn), woodwind (tenor sax, alto sax, baritone sax) and percussion instruments (six piece drum set, bongos). On the drum set was, special guest, Steve Houghton from the music school of Iowa.

In the origin of Jazz the more frequently used instruments were the violin, piano, and the clarinet. The most trendy Jazz types were Ragtime, Bebop, and Contemporary. “Most early jazz was played by small bands, performing for dancing or at social occasions including picnics and funerals, or by solo pianists (“Jazz” n.d para. 11).”

The trumpet has been a key instrument in Jazz for a very long time. It is actually one of more familiar sounds of jazz music. When people hear of jazz, most of time they think of the trumpet. The sound of the trumpet is loud and very energetic, but can also produce beautiful melodies. In the early days the trumpet was used in marching bands in New Orleans.

This piece gave that great smooth jazz feel that I associate with saxophone playing. His articulation and vibrato is just beautiful. Also, it sounds like the saxophone was the main part in the group, and I enjoy saxophone solos like

amazing jazz pieces that are still used by jazz bands around the world. His music has stood the

I do not believe that we would. Charlie Parker wrote the music the way he felt, meaning you could tell what was happening in his life when the song was composed. The tempo of the song may have been slow and he used notes in the lower register of the sax one might draw the conclusion he was sad or depressed. A faster tempo and notes in the higher register of the instrument he may have been in a good mood. Musicians draw their creativity from their experiences, feelings and emotions much in the same way artists paint pictures.

Many people now know Louis Armstrong from his appearance in Hello Dolly and for his the unforgettable song “What a Wonderful World”, but how Louis Armstrong got his start is from playing the trumpet. He was born in New Orleans, so it was a natural thing for him to learn how to play a jazz instrument. He was noticed by King Oliver, and in 1922 Oliver offered him a place in his band. Soon, Armstrong's talent was getting noticed, and in 1925, Armstrong put together his first group, the Hot Five. During this time he redefined the context in which the trumpet was played. He paved the way for swing and for trumpet soloists to take center stage. (“Louis Armstrong: 'The Trumpeter’”)

There are many famous Cool Jazz players that are highly known by many jazz fans. Some of the highly known people are Lennie Tristano, Dave Pell, and Gerry Mulligan. The other famous cool jazz players are Dave Brubeck and Shorty Rogers. But, the most important person is(as said earlier) Miles Davis.

Today the trumpet is used for making music in many different kinds of musical situations. It is used in musicals with other instruments for theme music as well as dance music. The modern day trumpet is also used in marching bands, concert bands, as well as jazz bands. My favorite setting where the trumpet is used is brass choir, where only two trumpets are used along with a trombone, tuba, and French horn. There are so many venues that the trumpet is used that many do not think about, such as rock bands and even country bands. When most people think of the trumpet, they think of marching bands or concert bands, but in reality the trumpet has a much wider variety that it is used for in today’s world than many think.