Hip-hop: The Jazz of Today
November 11, 2009 • By Chrisnatha Derosier
Nas. The Roots. Guru. These hip-hop artists and their music are very distinctly connected for they have all been shaped by a musical genre that was birthed about 50 years before their time.
From its traded improvisations to its origins in youthful rebellion, the modern musical expression of hip-hop is very heavily influenced by and, indeed, patterns the social climate of the old world genre of jazz.
Will Isma, a member of the South Florida Christian hip-hop quartet Trinity Boyz Movement, believes that jazz adds a soulful element to hip-hop.
"The instruments used in jazz-like the saxophone, clarinet, bass and drums adds a softness that may not have been in the original song," says Isma.
Take Atlanta-based music group, Jaspects. As young musicians who are products of the hip-hop age, they fuse hip-hop and jazz melodies to introduce jazz to younger audiences familiar with the syncopated rhythms and catchy hooks characteristic of hip-hop.
The six-piece group's music was featured in the Oscar-nominated movie,
Hustle and Flow, and on the CNN documentary series, "Black in America."
One viral trend found in hip-hop music, if in not many popular genres today, is sampling.
Sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording in a new song. This trend has introduced millions of young people to the sounds of Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and Diana Ross.
As a reference for borrowing snippets of a refrain and the intricate instrumentation, you can easily look to pioneering hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest for evidence. Their sophomore album, "The Low End Theory" included sampling from "Little Miss Lover" by Jimi Hendrix, "Red Clay" by Freddy Hubbard and "A Chant for Bu" by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.
Jazz greats Jeff Hamilton and John Clayton both appreciate hip hop and its trend to sample jazz music.
"I appreciate artists looking for inspiration for sound to add to their expression. I just want to make sure that the sampling is fair and legal. It is also important that the sampling is not used for negative purposes," said Clayton, whose instrument - the bass - is integral to any hip-hop song.
Sampling has been the center of controversy for several hip-hop ar
tists. Rapper Kanye West was sued for allegedly using a sample of Joe Ferrell's "Upon This Rock" for his song "Gone" without permission. Rappers Common, Red Man and Method Man have also been sued for similar infringements.
Nonetheless, jazz continues to make an impression on the music world as a whole.
This is why it is no surprise that the University of Miami's Frost School of Music dedicated a sizable portion of its 26th Annual Festival Miami to the genre. From October 2-30, the Frost School of Music had a month-long of great performances, including Q & A sessions hosted by jazz professionals featuring Jeff Hamilton and John Clayton.
Jeff Hamilton is one of the most sought-after jazz musicians today. Dubbed "the most driving and technically accomplished drummer" by Jazz Journal International, this native of Richmond, Indiana was inspired on his musical journey many years ago.
After seeing Gene Krupa, a jazz legend and energetic drum player, on The Merv Griffin Varity Show in the 1960's, Jeff was certain that drums were his calling.
Grammy-award winning bassist, composer and conductor John Clayton discovered his love for the bass in a different way.
"There was something about the bass. I did not choose the instrument, the instrument chose me," says Clayton.
Both Clayton and Hamilton are in agreement that jazz music has influenced the music of our generation.
Still, jazz is a musical genre that is also a derivative of something even more "soulful" -- Gospel music. The church has birthed many greats including Nat King Cole and BeBe King. This is no different for John and Jeff.
"Church played a significant role in who I am today. Both my mom and John's mom played the organ in the local Baptist church. Once they were allowed in the church, I began to play drums," said Hamilton.
However, for artists everywhere they leave us with some advice:
"Learn as much as you can about what you love. Do your homework and be knowledgeable. This way, you will gain much respect and it will make you an even better artist."
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