Jazz standard

Jazz standards are essential musical compositions within the jazz repertoire. A repertoire is the collection of songs a musician knows and performs. These pieces are widely recognized by both professional musicians and general listeners. There is no single, definitive list that defines every standard. Instead, the collection of standards evolves as musical tastes change over time. Musicians often use "fake books" to identify them. These are collections of lead sheets containing the melodies and chords of popular tunes. A song truly earns the title of a jazz standard when it is widely played among jazz musicians.

Many different types of music can transform into jazz standards. Many originated as popular songs from Tin Pan Alley. Others began as Broadway show tunes or songs from Hollywood musicals. This collection of songs is often called the Great American Songbook. In Europe, the definition can expand even further. Some musicians play traditional Scandinavian folk songs with a jazz feel. Others incorporate music from the Romani ethnic group into their performances. This flexibility allows jazz to absorb various cultural influences.

The history of these songs is tied to the development of jazz itself. Jazz began in New Orleans at the start of the twentieth century. It grew from traditions like brass band music, the blues, ragtime, and spirituals. Early jazz was intended primarily for dancing. This purpose influenced which songs were chosen for early repertoires. For example, King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band played many Tin Pan Alley songs. In the 1910s, record companies often dictated which songs artists would record. This helped certain pieces achieve standard status very quickly.

The 1920s marked the beginning of the "Jazz Age" in the United States. During this era, jazz became incredibly popular music. It inspired famous dances like the Charleston and the Black Bottom. Big bands often consisted of seven to twelve musicians. While some older generations found the music threatening, orchestras led by Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson thrived. In the 1930s, musicians began to embrace the melodic sophistication of Broadway tunes. This decade saw the rise of swing jazz as a dominant American musical form.

Specific compositions have achieved massive success through repeated recordings. For over twenty years starting in the 1930s, W. C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues" was the most recorded standard. It was eventually replaced by Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust." Later, Johnny Green's "Body and Soul" took the top position. One of the most famous examples is "Caravan," composed by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol. This song has been used in over 500 different recordings. These numbers demonstrate the enduring power of certain musical themes.

As jazz evolved, new subgenres created their own sets of standards. In the early 1940s, bebop emerged through leaders like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Bebop featured fast tempos and complex harmonies. Musicians often used 1930s Broadway standards as the foundation for their bebop performances. Later, in the late 1950s, modal jazz became popular with artists like Miles Davis. The 1960s also saw the rise of bossa nova from Brazil. Artists like Antonio Carlos Jobim introduced standards such as "The Girl from Ipanema."

In the 1970s, the jazz fusion movement combined jazz with rock and classical music. This era featured artists like Herbie Hancock and Weather Report. Fusion hits included songs like "Chameleon" by Hancock. While public interest in fusion faded by the 1980s, the influence of these styles remained. Jazz standards continue to connect different musical worlds. They bridge the gap between pop, blues, and various global traditions. This constant movement ensures that the jazz repertoire remains a living, breathing collection of art.