Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries — Jazz Legends (Duke Ellington, Miles Davis) — WJEC A-Level Music
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Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries — Jazz Legends (Duke Ellington, Miles Davis) explained
This strand focuses on the study of two influential jazz composers, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis, to understand the development, creation, and performance of jazz music during the 20th century.
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It builds upon the foundational knowledge of jazz genres (Big Band, Be-bop, Cool) established in the AS Level Area of Study D.
What to demonstrate
- Demonstration of knowledge and understanding of how musical elements are used to create an individual style
- Analysis of how the composers' styles changed over time
- Understanding of the relationship between lyrics and music where appropriate
Show all 7 objectives
- Knowledge of the use of instruments and voices in the composers' works
- Evaluation of the effect of audience, time, and place on the creation, development, and performance of the music
- Understanding of the purpose and intention of the composer/performer
- Accurate use of musical vocabulary and terminology related to the strand
Music of the 20th and 21st Centuries — Jazz Legends (Duke Ellington, Miles Davis) exam tips
Topic Overview
This topic explores the evolution of jazz from the early 20th century to the present, focusing on two titans: Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. Ellington, a composer and bandleader, elevated jazz from dance music to a sophisticated art form through his innovative use of orchestration, extended forms, and unique voicings. His works like 'Cotton Tail' and 'Mood Indigo' showcase his mastery of texture and harmony within the big band setting.
Miles Davis, a trumpeter and bandleader, was a constant innovator, driving jazz through bebop, cool jazz, modal jazz, and fusion. His album 'Kind of Blue' (1959) is a landmark of modal jazz, using scales rather than chord changes as a basis for improvisation. Later, 'Bitches Brew' (1970) fused jazz with rock and funk, sparking controversy but expanding jazz's boundaries. Understanding these figures helps students grasp jazz's evolution from swing to modern experimentalism.
This topic is crucial for A-Level Music as it demonstrates how jazz reflects broader cultural and historical shifts, including the Harlem Renaissance, civil rights movement, and technological changes. It also develops analytical skills in harmony, rhythm, and form, and encourages critical listening to diverse styles. Mastery of this content prepares students for essay questions on stylistic development and the role of key innovators.
Key Concepts
- →Swing rhythm: A lilting, off-beat feel created by the 'long-short' pattern of eighth notes, essential to jazz's groove.
- →Modal jazz: Improvisation based on scales (modes) rather than chord progressions, allowing for more melodic freedom; pioneered by Miles Davis in 'Kind of Blue'.
- →Big band orchestration: Ellington's use of instrumental 'choirs' (saxes, brass, rhythm) and his distinctive 'jungle style' with plunger mutes and growling effects.
- →Call and response: A conversational interplay between soloist and ensemble, or between sections, common in Ellington's arrangements.
- →Fusion: The blending of jazz with rock, funk, and electronic music, as seen in Davis's 'Bitches Brew', featuring electric instruments and extended improvisations.
Marking Points
- Demonstration of knowledge and understanding of how musical elements are used to create an individual style
- Analysis of how the composers' styles changed over time
- Understanding of the relationship between lyrics and music where appropriate
- Knowledge of the use of instruments and voices in the composers' works
- Evaluation of the effect of audience, time, and place on the creation, development, and performance of the music
- Understanding of the purpose and intention of the composer/performer
- Accurate use of musical vocabulary and terminology related to the strand
Examiner Tips
- 💡Ensure a strong grasp of the musical language of jazz (e.g., chord extensions, comping, improvisation techniques) from the AS level study
- 💡Listen widely to the works of both Ellington and Davis to identify their distinct stylistic signatures
- 💡Practice answering questions on unprepared extracts by focusing on the musical elements (timbre, texture, rhythm, harmony)
- 💡Prepare to discuss the evolution of jazz styles and how these composers contributed to or led these changes
- 💡Use specific musical examples: When discussing Ellington, reference 'Cotton Tail' for its use of the 'rhythm changes' and saxophone soli. For Davis, cite 'So What' from 'Kind of Blue' to illustrate modal improvisation with its Dorian mode.
- 💡Contextualise your answers: Link musical features to historical and cultural contexts. For example, explain how Ellington's music reflected the Harlem Renaissance, or how Davis's fusion mirrored 1960s counterculture and technological advances.
- 💡Compare and contrast: Examiners love direct comparisons. Contrast Ellington's composed, orchestral approach with Davis's more spontaneous, evolving style. Show how both were innovators but in different ways.
Common Mistakes
- Failing to link the music to its social, historical, or cultural context
- Inability to identify specific musical elements (e.g., harmonic extensions, rhythmic features) in unprepared extracts
- Lack of depth in comparing the styles of Ellington and Davis
- Over-reliance on general descriptions rather than specific musical analysis
- Misconception: Jazz is entirely improvised. Correction: While improvisation is key, many jazz works are carefully composed, especially Ellington's, which often had written arrangements with improvised solos.
- Misconception: Miles Davis's later fusion work is not 'real jazz'. Correction: Fusion is a legitimate evolution of jazz, incorporating new influences and technologies, though it divided critics. Davis's innovations expanded jazz's audience and vocabulary.
- Misconception: Swing and bebop are the same. Correction: Swing (1930s) featured big bands and danceable rhythms, while bebop (1940s) was smaller groups with faster tempos, complex harmonies, and virtuosic solos. Davis started in bebop but moved beyond it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Duke Ellington and Miles Davis's approach to jazz?
Duke Ellington was primarily a composer and arranger who worked within the big band format, crafting intricate, pre-written pieces with specific roles for each instrument. His music often featured rich harmonies, unique voicings, and a strong sense of narrative. Miles Davis, on the other hand, was a bandleader and improviser who constantly reinvented his style. He favoured smaller groups and emphasised spontaneity, leading innovations like modal jazz (using scales) and fusion (blending with rock). While Ellington's music is more structured, Davis's is more exploratory.
Why is 'Kind of Blue' considered a landmark album?
'Kind of Blue' (1959) is a landmark because it pioneered modal jazz, where improvisation is based on scales (modes) rather than chord progressions. This freed soloists from complex chord changes, allowing for more melodic and spacious improvisation. The album's relaxed, cool aesthetic contrasted with the fast, complex bebop of the era. Its influence is immense, inspiring countless musicians and becoming the best-selling jazz album of all time. Tracks like 'So What' and 'Freddie Freeloader' are classic examples of modal jazz.
How did Duke Ellington contribute to the development of jazz?
Duke Ellington elevated jazz from popular dance music to a serious art form. He expanded the big band's possibilities through innovative orchestration, using instruments in unconventional ways (e.g., plunger mutes for 'jungle' effects). He composed extended works like 'Black, Brown and Beige', blending jazz with classical forms. His harmonic language was sophisticated, using extended chords and voicings that became standard. Ellington also nurtured many great soloists, such as Johnny Hodges and Cootie Williams, and his compositions remain jazz standards.
What is modal jazz and how does it differ from traditional jazz?
Modal jazz is a style where improvisation is based on musical modes (scales) rather than a sequence of chord changes. In traditional jazz (e.g., bebop), soloists follow the harmony, playing notes that fit each chord as it changes. In modal jazz, the harmony is static for longer periods, allowing the soloist to explore the scale's melodic possibilities without worrying about rapid chord changes. This creates a more open, spacious sound. Miles Davis's 'Kind of Blue' is the quintessential modal jazz album, with pieces like 'So What' using only two modes.
Why did Miles Davis's fusion period cause controversy?
Miles Davis's fusion period, starting with 'In a Silent Way' (1969) and 'Bitches Brew' (1970), caused controversy because it incorporated rock rhythms, electric instruments (electric piano, guitar), and studio effects like tape loops and editing. Traditional jazz critics felt this diluted jazz's purity and improvisational spirit, while others saw it as a bold evolution that brought jazz to a younger, rock-oriented audience. Davis himself said he was 'tired of playing for the same old audience' and wanted to reflect the changing times. Despite the backlash, fusion became a major movement, influencing artists like Herbie Hancock and Weather Report.
What are the key features of Duke Ellington's 'jungle style'?
Duke Ellington's 'jungle style' was developed during his residency at the Cotton Club in the 1920s. Key features include the use of mutes (especially plunger mutes) on brass instruments to create growling, wah-wah effects, evoking exotic or primal sounds. The saxophone section often played sinuous, melodic lines, while the rhythm section maintained a steady, danceable groove. Ellington also used call-and-response between sections and incorporated blues inflections. Pieces like 'East St. Louis Toodle-Oo' and 'The Mooche' exemplify this style, which helped define the 'hot' jazz of the era.