November 12, 2018

My dear daughter,

There is probably no music genre as varied as Jazz. It’s a style that emerged in New Orleans towards the end of the 19^th century and beginning of the 20^th century, combining Blues, Ragtime, West African rhythms and influences, as well as European military band music. Jazz encompasses swing and blue notes, call and response vocals and lots of improvisation. It’s a truly American art form.

Different types of Jazz that emerged as decades went by were New Orleans Jazz, Kansas City Jazz, Swing Big Bands, Gypsy Jazz, Bebop, Cool Jazz, Hard Bop, Fusion, Modal Jazz, Free Jazz and Smooth Jazz. One must be truly an artist to learn and play Jazz.

As it spread through the world, Jazz mixed with local cultures and musical influences and sprang new styles, such as Latin and even Bossa Nova.

Here are a few more popular or well knows bands and artists I like to listen or have listened to at least once:

Frank Sinatra, Jamie Cullum, Reneé Olstead, Peter Cincotti, Annie Lennox, Diana Krall, Michael Bublé, Gwyneth Herbert, Adele, Al Martino, Amy Winehouse, Billie Holiday, Bob Darin, Carmen Cavallaro, Charlie Parker, Chet Baker, Dean Martin, Doris Day, the Gershwin brothers, Liberace, Miles Davis, Nancy Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Scott Joplin, Tommy Dorsey, Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London, Nat “King” Cole, Ray Charles, Rod Stewart, The Platters, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Nicki Parrott, Billy Joel, George Benson, Diane Schuur, Nina Simone, Al Jarreau, Lena Horne, Norah Jones, Joe Cocker, Aretha Franklin, Betty Carter, Joe Bonamassa, Sammy Davis Jr., Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, Anita O’Day, Stan Getz, Bill Evans, Benny Goodman, Sonny Rollins, Lester Young, Jimmy Smith, Dexter Gordon, Wes Montgomery, Horace Silver, Coleman Hawkins, Django Reinhardt, Tom Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, Quarteto em Cy, Toquinho, Os Cariocas.

You will notice some people show up under Jazz, Blues and Rock and Roll. They take mutual influences. It’s also interesting to see that many of these artists inspired others in my previous lists.

I think this is enough about my musical preferences. I’m sure you will have yours. They may or may not overlap. I’m perfectly ok with it, but I’m pretty sure some of your favorite artists will have been influenced by some of these musicians I’ve mentioned.

Love,

Dad