Austin High School Gang: Difference between revisions
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==Early Development== |
==Early Development== |
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In 1922, five kids from Austin High School in Chicago, Illinois formed a little band which consisted of [[Jim Lanigan]] on [[piano]], [[Jimmy McPartland]] on [[cornet]], his older brother [[Dick McPartland]] on [[banjo]] and [[guitar]], [[Frank Teschemacher]] on [[alto saxophone]], and [[Bud Freeman]] on [[C melody saxophone|C-melody tenor saxophone]]. Bud was the greenhorn of the group and the only one who did not also play the [[violin]]. At the time, their ages ranged from Jimmy McPartland, who was fourteen, to Jim Lanigan and Dick McPartland, seventeen. Teschemacher was sixteen and Freeman was slightly younger. They were so keen on music that they practiced in school and in their homes. |
In 1922, five kids from Austin High School in Chicago, Illinois formed a little band which consisted of [[Jim Lanigan]] on [[piano]], [[Jimmy McPartland]] on [[cornet]], his older brother [[Dick McPartland]] on [[banjo]] and [[guitar]], [[Frank Teschemacher]] on [[alto saxophone]], and [[Bud Freeman]] on [[C melody saxophone|C-melody tenor saxophone]]. Bud was the greenhorn of the group and the only one who did not also play the [[violin]]. At the time, their ages ranged from Jimmy McPartland, who was fourteen, to Jim Lanigan and Dick McPartland, seventeen. Teschemacher was sixteen and Freeman was slightly younger. They were so keen on music that they practiced in school and in their homes.<ref>Smith, Charles Edward. “The Austin High Gang.” Jazzmen. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1939.</ref> |
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Coming from comfortable middle class homes they could, at the outset, pursue their common musical ambitions as a hobby, a circumstance that allowed them much more freedom of choice. Their initial inspiration was a local ensemble called the Al Johnson Orchestra, which gave them the motivation they needed to improve rapidly. Soon, they were playing at the afternoon high school dances, which were then becoming popular in Chicago. The band continued to play – at high school fraternity dances and any other opportunity that presented itself.<ref>Smith, Charles Edward. “The Austin High Gang.” Jazzmen. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1939.</ref> |
Coming from comfortable middle class homes they could, at the outset, pursue their common musical ambitions as a hobby, a circumstance that allowed them much more freedom of choice. Their initial inspiration was a local ensemble called the Al Johnson Orchestra, which gave them the motivation they needed to improve rapidly. Soon, they were playing at the afternoon high school dances, which were then becoming popular in Chicago. The band continued to play – at high school fraternity dances and any other opportunity that presented itself.<ref>Smith, Charles Edward. “The Austin High Gang.” Jazzmen. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1939.</ref> |
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[[Jazz]] was a relatively novel style of music in the early 1920s, and it took root largely in New Orleans and New York. However, the spread of culture at the day was hampered by limited technology, so the Austin High School Gang grew up in an environment where jazz music was not yet thriving. |
[[Jazz]] was a relatively novel style of music in the early 1920s, and it took root largely in New Orleans and New York. However, the spread of culture at the day was hampered by limited technology, so the Austin High School Gang grew up in an environment where jazz music was not yet thriving. |
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The boys, like many other students from their high school, frequented an ice cream parlor across the street known as “The SPOON and the Straw.” Usually, one of them would feed a nickel to the automatic [[phonograph]]. One day, they discovered a record by the [[New Orleans Rhythm Kings]], and were so enthralled by the sound of such authentic jazz that they played the record over and over. |
The boys, like many other students from their high school, frequented an ice cream parlor across the street known as “The SPOON and the Straw.” Usually, one of them would feed a nickel to the automatic [[phonograph]]. One day, they discovered a record by the [[New Orleans Rhythm Kings]], and were so enthralled by the sound of such authentic jazz that they played the record over and over.<ref>Smith, Charles Edward. “The Austin High Gang.” Jazzmen. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1939.</ref> |
||
The Austin High Gang came definitely and immediately under the influence of the Rhythm Kings, and tried to emulate the same steady, compelling rhythm, contrapuntal improvisations, tone color, a similar economy of notes and ease of melodic interpretation. Their pre-professional training was almost complete when they heard Gennett records made by [[Bix Beiderbecke]] and the [[The Wolverines|Wolverines]], and they drew further inspiration from their style of New Orleans music. Having heard records, they went out to hear the bands themselves and discovered [[King Oliver]]’s Creole Jazz Band, rounding off their identity with New Orleans jazz. |
The Austin High Gang came definitely and immediately under the influence of the Rhythm Kings, and tried to emulate the same steady, compelling rhythm, contrapuntal improvisations, tone color, a similar economy of notes and ease of melodic interpretation. Their pre-professional training was almost complete when they heard Gennett records made by [[Bix Beiderbecke]] and the [[The Wolverines|Wolverines]], and they drew further inspiration from their style of New Orleans music. Having heard records, they went out to hear the bands themselves and discovered [[King Oliver]]’s Creole Jazz Band, rounding off their identity with New Orleans jazz.<ref>Smith, Charles Edward. “The Austin High Gang.” Jazzmen. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1939.</ref> |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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Sometimes the Austin High Gang played at Lewis Institute, which [[Dave Tough]] attended, and he added his drums to the little band. Later, Jim Lanigan picked up the [[Double bass|bass]] through [[Chink Martin]]’s playing and soon became the band’s bassist; Teschemacher also began practicing the [[clarinet]], his style showing traces of the glissandi from violin playing. Dave found [[Floyd O’Brien]] playing [[trombone]] at a University of Chicago jam session. Then, recruiting him and pianist Dave North, they named themselves Husk O’Hare’s Wolverines and were ready to play professionally. They got a job at [[White City (Chicago)|White City]], a large dance hall of Chicago’s south side amusement park, where they played until their disbandment at the end of the White City engagement. |
Sometimes the Austin High Gang played at Lewis Institute, which [[Dave Tough]] attended, and he added his drums to the little band. Later, Jim Lanigan picked up the [[Double bass|bass]] through [[Chink Martin]]’s playing and soon became the band’s bassist; Teschemacher also began practicing the [[clarinet]], his style showing traces of the glissandi from violin playing. Dave found [[Floyd O’Brien]] playing [[trombone]] at a University of Chicago jam session. Then, recruiting him and pianist Dave North, they named themselves Husk O’Hare’s Wolverines and were ready to play professionally. They got a job at [[White City (Chicago)|White City]], a large dance hall of Chicago’s south side amusement park, where they played until their disbandment at the end of the White City engagement.<ref>Smith, Charles Edward. “The Austin High Gang.” Jazzmen. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1939.</ref> |
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==Influence on Early Jazz== |
==Influence on Early Jazz== |
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The Austin High Gang rose to prominence as pioneers of the Chicago Style in the 1920s, which was modeled on [[Dixieland|New Orleans Jazz]], but sounded more hurried. |
The Austin High Gang rose to prominence as pioneers of the Chicago Style in the 1920s, which was modeled on [[Dixieland|New Orleans Jazz]], but sounded more hurried.<ref>Gridley, Mark C. Jazz Styles: History and Analysis. Addison Wesley Longman, 9th ed.</ref> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 07:01, 20 June 2015
Austin High School Gang | |
|---|---|
| (left to right) back row: Eddie Condon, Dave Tough, Dick McPartland, Dave North, Bud Freeman, Frank Teschemacher front row: Jim Lanigan and Jimmy McPartland (left to right) back row: Eddie Condon, Dave Tough, Dick McPartland, Dave North, Bud Freeman, Frank Teschemacher front row: Jim Lanigan and Jimmy McPartland | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1920–30 |
| Past members | |
The Austin High Gang was the name given to a group of young, white musicians from the West Side of Chicago, who all attended Austin High School during the early 1920s.
Early Development
In 1922, five kids from Austin High School in Chicago, Illinois formed a little band which consisted of Jim Lanigan on piano, Jimmy McPartland on cornet, his older brother Dick McPartland on banjo and guitar, Frank Teschemacher on alto saxophone, and Bud Freeman on C-melody tenor saxophone. Bud was the greenhorn of the group and the only one who did not also play the violin. At the time, their ages ranged from Jimmy McPartland, who was fourteen, to Jim Lanigan and Dick McPartland, seventeen. Teschemacher was sixteen and Freeman was slightly younger. They were so keen on music that they practiced in school and in their homes.[1]
Coming from comfortable middle class homes they could, at the outset, pursue their common musical ambitions as a hobby, a circumstance that allowed them much more freedom of choice. Their initial inspiration was a local ensemble called the Al Johnson Orchestra, which gave them the motivation they needed to improve rapidly. Soon, they were playing at the afternoon high school dances, which were then becoming popular in Chicago. The band continued to play – at high school fraternity dances and any other opportunity that presented itself.[2]
Influence of New Orleans Jazz
Jazz was a relatively novel style of music in the early 1920s, and it took root largely in New Orleans and New York. However, the spread of culture at the day was hampered by limited technology, so the Austin High School Gang grew up in an environment where jazz music was not yet thriving.
The boys, like many other students from their high school, frequented an ice cream parlor across the street known as “The SPOON and the Straw.” Usually, one of them would feed a nickel to the automatic phonograph. One day, they discovered a record by the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, and were so enthralled by the sound of such authentic jazz that they played the record over and over.[3]
The Austin High Gang came definitely and immediately under the influence of the Rhythm Kings, and tried to emulate the same steady, compelling rhythm, contrapuntal improvisations, tone color, a similar economy of notes and ease of melodic interpretation. Their pre-professional training was almost complete when they heard Gennett records made by Bix Beiderbecke and the Wolverines, and they drew further inspiration from their style of New Orleans music. Having heard records, they went out to hear the bands themselves and discovered King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band, rounding off their identity with New Orleans jazz.[4]
Career
Sometimes the Austin High Gang played at Lewis Institute, which Dave Tough attended, and he added his drums to the little band. Later, Jim Lanigan picked up the bass through Chink Martin’s playing and soon became the band’s bassist; Teschemacher also began practicing the clarinet, his style showing traces of the glissandi from violin playing. Dave found Floyd O’Brien playing trombone at a University of Chicago jam session. Then, recruiting him and pianist Dave North, they named themselves Husk O’Hare’s Wolverines and were ready to play professionally. They got a job at White City, a large dance hall of Chicago’s south side amusement park, where they played until their disbandment at the end of the White City engagement.[5]
Influence on Early Jazz
The Austin High Gang rose to prominence as pioneers of the Chicago Style in the 1920s, which was modeled on New Orleans Jazz, but sounded more hurried.[6]
External links
Edward, Charles (1939). "The Austin High Gang". Brace & Company - New York. Archived from the original on 20 March 2006. Retrieved 27 March 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
Wang, Richard A. "Austin High Gang". Archived from the original on 7 March 2006. Retrieved 27 March 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
- ^ Smith, Charles Edward. “The Austin High Gang.” Jazzmen. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1939.
- ^ Smith, Charles Edward. “The Austin High Gang.” Jazzmen. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1939.
- ^ Smith, Charles Edward. “The Austin High Gang.” Jazzmen. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1939.
- ^ Smith, Charles Edward. “The Austin High Gang.” Jazzmen. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1939.
- ^ Smith, Charles Edward. “The Austin High Gang.” Jazzmen. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1939.
- ^ Gridley, Mark C. Jazz Styles: History and Analysis. Addison Wesley Longman, 9th ed.