Question

Which Swing Era bassist does this describe? From Louisiana; with Ellington's band in the 1920s; helped to develop the walking bass and popularized string-bass bowing technique in jazz.

a) Jimmy Blanton.
b) Pops Foster.
c) Milt Hinton.
d) Al Morgan.

Answer 1

Jimmy Blanton is the Swing Era bassist from Louisiana who was with Duke Ellington's band in the 1920s and contributed to the development of the walking bass and string-bass bowing technique in jazz.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Swing Era bassist described here, from Louisiana, with Duke Ellington's band in the 1920s, who helped to develop the walking bass and popularized string-bass bowing techniques in jazz, is Jimmy Blanton. His contributions were fundamental in the evolution of jazz bass playing, setting new standards with his innovative techniques and expressive solos. As a part of Ellington's orchestra, Blanton revolutionized the role of the bass in jazz music during this transformative period for African American artists.

The intersection of cultural and musical history in the 1920s is notable for the emergence of jazz as a distinctive and expressive form of music, which reflected the life experiences of black Americans. It was an era when the blues spread from the Mississippi Delta to diverse regions, including Chicago, New England, and the Appalachians. Moreover, no place was more central to the jazz scene than Harlem, home to the celebrated Savoy Ballroom and Apollo Theater.