An Introduction to America’s Music

296 PART 3 | FROM WORLD WAR I THROUGH WORLD WAR II

gesture of affi rmation, surprise, irony, or even mockery. The second infl uence

came from the cabarets, where Armstrong learned how to be an effective enter-

tainer. Those who worked in Chicago’s competitive show business needed to be

able to make artistic statements that would impress club managers, contractors,

and bandleaders. Jazz musicians there learned to work out solo statements that

would instantly grab the spotlight.

The third infl uence was the demand for instrumental virtuosity. According to

songwriter Hoagy Carmichael, Armstrong owed much of his technical command

songwriter: Joe "King" Oliver

date: 1928

performers: Louis Armstrong, trumpet,

vocal; Earl Hines, piano; Fred Robinson,

trombone; Jimmy Strong, clarinet; Mancy

Carr, banjo; Zutty Singleton, drums

genre: New Orleans jazz

meter: duple

form: 12-bar blues

timing section comments

0:00 introduction Dramatic cadenza for trumpet alone, then an anticipatory chord from the full

group.

0:14 chorus 1 Trumpet plays Oliver’s composed melody, with increasing departures.

0:49 chorus 2 Trombone solo, emphasizing smears.

1:23 chorus 3 Call-and-response duet between clarinet in low register and scat singing.

1:57 chorus 4 Piano solo. Phrase 1, fast, light runs; phrase 2, “trumpet-style” octaves, with

tremolo at the end; phrase 3, return to lighter texture.

2:31 chorus 5 Phrase 1, trumpet holds high note; phrase 2, series of falling fi gures against the

beat; phrase 3, piano solo.

3:03 coda Full group in a closing gesture, ending with cymbal “clop.”

Listen & Refl ect

1. Dippermouth Blues (see LG 12.2) and West End Blues are similar in instrumentation and
   in form: a series of 12-bar blues choruses with short introduction and coda. What features
   make the two recordings sound so different?

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

• striking, attention-getting opening cadenza


• emphasis on solos over ensemble; no
  collective improvisation


• trumpet playing and singing keep Armstrong
  in the spotlight

CD 2.12 Listening Guide 12.4 West End Blues^ LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS HOT FIVE

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