Miles Davis: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2006

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/miles-davis/bio/

Official Site: http://www.milesdavis.com/us

Miles Davis is the greatest jazz man of the 20th century and one of the most influential artists of all time. He led the development of several jazz schools including be bop, cool jazz, and jazz fusion. His work has been widely sampled by hip hop artists. He died in 1991.

Seven Steps to Heaven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J53kGW8vhWs

Someday My Prince Will Come: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBq87dbKyHQ

Walkin':   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teCy3ogCGiE

Round Midnight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kufiFzdrX-0

My Funny Valentine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgu28Hqg8Vc

Billie Holiday: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2000

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/billie-holiday/bio/

Billie Holiday was a seminal jazz singer and influence on rock artists.

God Bless This Child: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_1LfT1MvzI

Lady Sings the Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulGwHzrKOAU

Strange Fruit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ZyuULy9zs

Crazy He Calls Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mitLcbHHz8

Embraceable You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFVtTVMqfLQ

Lady in Satin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCsxqDq6B04

Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBanjMmV6zQ

She died in 1959.

Jelly Roll Morton: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1998

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/jelly-roll-morton/bio/

Morton is considered an important figure in the evolution of jazz. He emerged the first true arranger for a genre that usually created through improvisation.

Wolverine Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5XOjIhTMK4

Creepy Feeling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCRhdRO9EUE

Black Bottom Stomp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIerJMCK5_E

 

He died in 1941 at age 50.

1946 in Music

Big Band music helped Americans through World War II.  The jazz scene dramatically changed the following year. Charlie Parker released “Ko-Ko” ushering in a revolution in jazz. The genre became less viable commercially and more artist driven. As a result, people gravitated toward pop and away from jazz. It was a defining moment that helped lead to rock n roll because pop was boring and Jazz unlistenable. On a side note,  B.B. King, Bill Haley, and Chet Atkins all began their careers in 1946.

Ko-Ko by Charlie Parker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_ZajJd-1kY

Prisoner of Love by Perry Como:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbNPg_Rp0ws

Five Minutes More by Frank Sinatra:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvWEigjXVsI

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! By Vaughn Monroe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbb3skLR0Bo

To Each His Own by the Ink Spots:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pRarUQD3L8

The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jODKhUoFxzA

Professor Longhair: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1992

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/professor-longhair/bio/

Professor Longhair did not seriously begin to play the piano until his 30s and his career began in 1948.

His only hit:

Bald Head (1949):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZNxSOQtQp8

Tipitina:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBSN7WOPkQ0

Mardi Gras in New Orleans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXAE0NmeVh4

Big Chief:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhYyFnFPhBg&feature=related

Go to the Mardi Gras:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wAMr3V5lN4

　
He suffered a stroke and returned in 1957. Longhair struggled in the 60s and became a gambling addict.

His appearance at the 1971 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival revitalized his career.

Professor Longhair died in 1980.

Charlie Christian: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1990

His life and career in links.

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/charlie-christian/bio/

Charlie Christian played a prominent role in the development of bebop and jazz.

Born in 1916, by the early 1930s, he was touring the Midwest.

1939-1941: He was a member of Benny Goodman’s orchestra. Christian played electric guitar.

Tea for Two with Benny Goodman (1939):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAWlyg44oIQ&feature=related

Breakfast Feud with Benny Goodman (1940):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prL94c2tyHA

Swing to Bop (1941):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce9Jtl9D6FQ

Stompin’ at the Savoy (1941):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x52x5hjpD5k&feature=related

He died in 1942 from tuberculosis at age 25.

Charlie Parker: Ko-Ko (1945)

Charlie Parker originated bebop music while playing "Cherokee." He hated the piece and reworked it until "Ko-Ko" emerged. Following the recording, other musicians abandoned more traditional jazz inadvertantly turning the genre elitist and killing off Big Band. Bebop proved unlistenable to the masses leading them to boring pop standards to fill the void.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_ZajJd-1kY