Modern Jazz Quartet

Understanding Gospel Music

Another Uniquely American Invention, Black Gospel Music Lyrics and Songs are Universally Uplifting

When an individual not entirely familiar with the character of gospel music thinks of the genre, that person probably wouldn't consider it as intricately tied into American culture. Perhaps that person would think of the kind of music often sung in black Churches, or the film "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" might pop into mind.

One might acknowledge the music's relevance to specific niche groups of our society, but probably wouldn't rank it nearly as influential as, say, Rock, Jazz, Rap, or even Country.

What most people don't understand, but which is understood within the gospel song industry, is that 'Gospel music' isn't just a single genre. The gospel label encompasses a wide range of sounds, styles, and messages, and the simplistic description of it as "God music" simply isn't appropriate. In fact, understanding the evolution and impact of Gospel provides valuable insight in the character of American culture.

Black Gospel and Southern Gospel Explained

The primary difference was that Black Gospel was and still is primarily about God, while Southern Gospels tend to be addressed to God. Both genres, then also vary radically from other Christian music, with which they are often confused. The history of Gospel is rich and intricate. So, to make it simple, let's look at it from two basic perspectives. We'll take the earlier examples, and consider black Church music, and the kinds of sounds people know from O Brother Where Art Thou. These two perspectives summarize the essential roots of Gospel music, as a fusion between early American white and black culture.

Similar Roots to Jazz

Black church music is probably the most obvious example of gospel music that people have in their minds. Similarly to Jazz, this type of music traces its roots back to slave spirituals sung in the 19th century, and, also like Jazz, continues its evolution up through work songs sung in labor camps in the early 20th century. However, it splits from the more secular jazz music at this point.

Segregation Breeds Invention

Due much in part to the segregation of America in the early and mid twentieth century, black churches quickly developed a very different culture than those that white people often attended. The oral tradition that began with black spirituals had grown and developed, and synthesizing with religious connotations, found its way into churches. These spirituals became a staple part of church life, but never saw much commercialization until the end of the 20th century. After public exposure in film and even some pop music, perhaps most famously by Madonna in "Like a Prayer, gospel music, alongside and sometimes overlapping the growing popularity of rap, black gospel has become not only a viable commercial enterprise, but a prominent, if understated, feature of American culture.

Southern Gospel has ingrained itself in American culture in a similar manner, though its evolution is surprisingly analogous. Think of George Clooney crooning away in the hit movie "Oh Brother, Where art Thou?". The type of music he sings there is actually representative of one of the few musical genres that has maintained its popularity since the early days of sound recording. This type of music has its origins in a mixture of the slave spirituals of black gospel, and a more Puritan sound known as heart song. This acapella music, one of the few really acceptable in Puritan society, was commonly sung in praise of God and spirituality. Fast forward 150 years or so, and there's a new industry booming through the use of radio and recorded songs. Very quickly the easy, upbeat, and catchy sounds of quartet music gained prominence with listeners.

It's important to point out that while Southern Gospel is different from 'black' Gospel, that doesn't mean one is just in the domain of the white folks while the other is for black folks. Many of the early quartet groups had some or all black members. In fact, as Black Gospel did not gain popularity outside of black culture until many decades later, these quartets were one the earliest opportunities for black entertainers to gain mainstream attention and recognition.

As Popular as Ever

Nearly a century later, and much of Southern Christian Gospel has remained unchanged. While its popularity died in the middle of the century, the couple Bill and Gloria Gaith did much to revive it in the early 90's through a massive national tour. This inspired a movement that reached out to new listeners, and eventually grew into Progressive Christian Gospel, a sub-genre that mixes elements of traditional, traditional Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, modern country, contemporary Christian and pop music. This evolution has helped spread its popularity and accessibility, particularly among younger listeners.

Today, Southern Christian Gospel remains one of the most popular forms of music in the country, though it functions within a very closed community. Despite this exclusiveness, its influence has spread to other countries, particularly Ireland, (List others). More than being simply religious Southern Christian Gospel represents the spiritual and aethetic characteristic of American society.

So, while one might not see billboards prominently displaying the latest Gospel artists, or read about it in history textbooks, it remains an important and stalwart part of the American identity.

About the Author

Gary Hayduk loves all things gospel music, from Black Gospel Music Lyrics, class gospelmusic, original gospel lyrics, Southern Gospel Music Lyrics and free printable Old Time Gospel song lyrics.

Modern Jazz Quartet- Examples of classical music?

What are some examples of solos or songs in which John Lewis and the Modern Jazz Quartet incorporated classical music?
Thanks Matthew

You Will have to research John Lewis's work prior to his forming the MJQ after a stint with Milt Jackson in '51, he played many Bach pieces, (but am unable to find any), as well as composing film sound tracks that are a unique blend of classical and jazz, but here is something for you to get your teeth into :-

The John Lewis Piano/Jazz Piano International on Collectables 6251 rec' '56 - '58.
The Wonderful World Of Jazz on Atlantic 90979-2 rec'7-9 '60.
Improvised Meditations And Excursions / Eastern Exposure.on Collectables 6629 rec' 2/57 - 3/60.
Golden Striker / Jazz Abstractions. on Collectables 6252 rec' 2 - 12 /60.( with a contemporary string quartet).
The Artistry Of The Modern Jazz Quartet on Prestige 60 016 rec' 12 / '52 - 7 / '55
Django on Original Jazz Classics OJC 057 rec' 6 /' 53 - 1 / '55
MJQ on Original Jazz Classics OJC 125 rec' 6/54,12/56.

Modern Jazz Quartet - Django

40 Years of Mjq [VHS] $8.47 The Modern Jazz Quartet's fortieth anniversary concert presents the signature sounds that ensured the group's lasting legacy in the history of music. Filmed live in Stuttgart, Germany, the Quartet is backed by the lush sound of a full string orchestra. Would you believe that the ever-dignified Modern Jazz Quartet traces it's origins to the irrepressibly flamboyant Dizzy Gillespie and his brassy...

Collaboration ...

Jazz Casuals-Modern Jazz Quartet [VHS] $14.98 ...

Henryk Gorecki: Symphony No. 3, Opus 36 $8.48 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: GORECKI,H.Title: SYM 3Street Release Date: 04/28/1992...

Four Classic Albums $5.87 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed....

Modern Jazz Quartet (1957) $8.56 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed....

Modern Jazz Voicings: Arranging for Small and Medium Ensembles $15.47 The definitive text used for the time-honored Chord Scales course at Berklee College of Music, this book concentrates on scoring for every possible ensemble combination and teaches performers and arrangers how to add color, character and sophistication to chord voicings. Topics covered include: selecting appropriate harmonic tensions, understanding jazz harmony, overcoming harmonic ambiguity, expe...

Modern Jazz Quartet - Jazz Piano Solos Series Volume 18 $11.10 20 MJQ favorites arranged for piano solo including: Afternoon in Paris * Bags' Groove * Blues in H (B) * Bluesology * Concorde * Connie's Blues * Delauney's Dilemma * Django * Echoes * The Golden Striker * La Ronde * Milano * The Queen's Fancy * Reunion Blues * Skating in Central Park * Vendome * and more....

Modern Jazz Quartet Classics - Jazz Play-Along Volume 151 (Cd/Pkg) $9.68 ###############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################...

Supershow $6.94 A most diverse group of musicians convened in an abandoned linoleum factory near London in 1969 to jam for the cameras. The result was this unusual concert experience featuring Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Stephen Stills, Buddy Guy, Buddy Miles, Glen Campbell, and The Roland Kirk Quartet. Among the songs performed were "I Say a Little Prayer," "Slate 27," "Hoochie Coochie Man," "My Time After Awhile"...

Modern Jazz Quartet - Modern Jazz Quartet: 1957 $13.71 Description Not Available

Modern Jazz Quartet - Django [Remaster] $11.05 Description Not Available

Sonny Rollins - With The Modern Jazz Quartet $11.87 Description Not Available

Modern Jazz Quartet - Four Classic Albums (Import) $14.49 Disc 0:No track list available

The Modern Jazz Quartet - Eight Classic Albums [Box] $10.58 Disc 1:DISC 1:Mambo BounceTime On My HandsThis Love For MineShadrockOn a Slow Boat to ChinaScoopsWith a Song in My HeartNewk`s FadeawayI KnewStopper, TheIn a Sentimental Mood

Modern Jazz Quartet - Concorde [7/1] $11.87 Disc 1:Ralph`s New BluesAll Of YouI`ll Remember AprilGershwin MedleySoftly, As In A Morning SunriseConcorde

Modern Jazz Quartet - The Best Of The Modern Jazz Quartet $11.66 Description Not Available

Modern Jazz Quartet - The Artistry Of The Modern Jazz Quartet $9.3 Description Not Available

Modern Jazz Quartet - 40th Anniversary Tour (DVD) $17.55 The Modern Jazz Quartet are in stellar form in this 1992 recording from Stuttgart, Germany, taken from the group`s 40th anniversary tour.

Modern Jazz Quartet - The Art of the Modern Jazz Quartet: The Atlantic Years [6/9] $19.09 Disc 1:DISC 1:Golden Striker, TheCortegeBags` Groove - (live)Cylinder, The - (live)England`s CarolLonely WomanToday (Home)Disc 2:DISC 2:Django - (live)Sketch (F...

With The Modern Jazz Quartet $16.1 With The Modern Jazz Quartet

The Best Of The Modern Jazz Quartet $15.86 The Best Of The Modern Jazz Quartet

Modern Jazz Quartet -Pyramid $31.37 The Modern Jazz Quartet s classic original album Pyramid (Atlantic LP1325) in its entirety. Along with the title tune a beautiful composition by Ray Brown it presents the definitive version of John Lewis gem Django . As a bonus, we have added the complete LP Patterns (United Artists UAL4063), which features the exact same personnel. The latter LP was recorded by the MJQ in between the sessions for Pyramid, and consists of six John Lewis compositions. The original 1954 version of Django has also been added as a bonus.

Modern Jazz Quartet Favorites $12.88 For use with all Bb, Eb, C and bass clef instruments, the Jazz Play-Along Series is the ultimate learning tool for all jazz musicians...

Modern Jazz Quartet Classics $12.88 For use with all B-flat, E-flat, C and Bass clef instruments, the Jazz Play-Along Series is the ultimate learning tool for all jazz musicians...

Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet $63.73 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet is an album by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, featuring his earliest recordings for the Prestige label under his leadership, including four tracks performed by Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet (John Lewis, Milt Jackson, Percy Heath, and Kenny Clarke), eight tracks where Kenny Drew and Art Blakey replace Lewis and Jackson, and one track with Miles Davis on piano. The Allmusic review by Lindsay Planer describes the album as a fresh and vibrant bakers dozen of selections... a vital component in any jazz enthusiasts collection. Author and musician Peter Niklas Wilson called it patchwork, but an interesting one. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 72 Publication Date: 2010/11/19 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.17 inches

Modern Jazz Quartet - 40th Anniversary Tour (DVD) $36.26 The Modern Jazz Quartet are in stellar form in this 1992 recording from Stuttgart, Germany, taken from the group`s 40th anniversary tour.

Modern Jazz Quartet - The Artistry Of The Modern Jazz Quartet $20.91 Track Listing:La RondeRose Of The Rio GrandeQueen's Fancy, TheDelaunay's DilemmaIn A Sentimental MoodStopper, TheAlmost Like Being I LoveNo MoeDjangoOne Bass HitMilanoRalph's New BluesI'll Remember AprilConcordeSoftly, As In A Morning Sunrise

Modern Jazz Quartet - Introducing: The Modern Jazz Quartet $26.23 Track Listing: Django England`s Carol Softly As In A Morning Sunrise Vendome Bachianas Brasileiras Over The Rainbow Lonely Woman Summertime I Love You Porgy Night In Tunisia Adagio From The Guitar (Concierto De Aranjuez) Blues In A Minor

Modern Jazz Quartet - The Best Of The Modern Jazz Quartet $30.71 Track Listing: Valeria Connie`s Blues Le Cannet Reunion Blues Nature Boy Echoes Watergate Blues, The

Modern Jazz Quartet by Yoan, Niek [Paperback] $89.22 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. The Modern Jazz Quartet was established in 1952 by Milt Jackson (vibraphone), John Lewis (piano, musical director), Percy Heath (contrabass), and Kenny Clarke (drums). Connie Kay replaced Clarke in 1955. The quartet performed in several jazz styles, including bebop, cool jazz and third stream. Milt Jackson, John Lewis, and Kenny Clarke had originally played together in a quartet while in the Dizzy Gillespie orchestra from 1946 to 1950. Together with Ray Brown they played during interludes designed to give the trumpeters time to recover from the challenging upper register trumpet parts. This lineup recorded as the Milt Jackson Quartet in 1951. Author: Yoan, Niek Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 112 Publication Date: 2011/07/31 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.27 inches

Modern Jazz Quartet - MJQ $29.8 Disc 0:No track list available

Modern Jazz Quartet $13.64 20 MJQ favorites arranged for piano solo, including: Afternoon in Paris * Bags'''' Groove * Blues in H (B) * Bluesology * Concorde * Connie''''s Blues * Delauney''''s Dilemma * Django * Echoes * The ...

Modern Jazz Quartet - Django (Ntsc/Rc-0) [Import] $38.37 The Golden StrinckerIf I Were EveWinter TaleLonely WomanLyon's HeadBillie's BounceDjango Budget priced DVD presentation of these classic Jazz performances from the legendary quartet.

Modern Jazz Quartet - Plastic Dreams $24.38 Track Listing:Walkin' StompDancingPlastic DreamsVariations On A Christmas ThemeTrav' Lin'Piazza NavonaEngland's Carol

Sonny Rollins - With The Modern Jazz Quartet $20.78 Track Listing: Stopper, The Shadrack On A Slow Boat To China Mambo Bounce I Know Almost Like Being In Love No Moe In A Sentimental Mood Scoops With A Song In My Heart Newk`s Fadeaway Time On My Hands This Love Of Mine

Modern Jazz Quartet - Django [Remaster] $28.58 Track Listing: Django One Bass Hit La Ronde Suite: Piano / Bass / Vibes / Drums Queen`s Fancy, The Delaunay`s Dilemma Autumn In New York But Not For Me Milano

Modern Jazz Quartet - Concorde [7/1] $24.66 Disc 1:Ralph`s New BluesAll Of YouI`ll Remember AprilGershwin MedleySoftly, As In A Morning SunriseConcorde