Battle of the Bands - JAZZ vs. BLUES (2nd Round)

[Corki]

We are now into the second week of the knock stages. And we have a battle of two heavyweights as the Champion of Jazz, Louis Armstrong, takes on B.B. King, the Champion of Blues.

 

The champion of Jazz... LOUIS ARMSTRONG

Louis Armstrong, nicknamed Satchmo and Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer.

 

Armstrong was a charismatic, innovative performer whose improvised soloing was the main influence for a fundamental change in jazz, shifting its focus from collective improvisation to the solo player and improvised soloing. One of the most famous jazz musicians of the 20th century, he was first known as a cornet player, then as a trumpet player, and toward the end of his career he was best known as a vocalist and became one of the most influential jazz singers. Armstrong grew up at the bottom of the social ladder, in a highly segregated city, but one which lived in a constant fervor of music, which was generally called “ragtime”, and not yet “jazz”. Despite the hard early days, Armstrong seldom looked back at his youth as the worst of times but instead drew inspiration from it, “Every time I close my eyes blowing that trumpet of mine—I look right in the heart of good old New Orleans...It has given me something to live for.”

 

Jazz was not an easy choice, as you can find inspirational Jazz musicians from several cities, notably New Orleans, St Louis, and Chicago. We decided that "Satch" embodied Jazz music as a whole, and he was a forerunner in the change from "Big Band" jazz, to "Solo" jazz music.

 

The champion of Blues... B. B. KING

For nearly half a century, Riley B. King - better known as B.B. King - has defined the blues for a worldwide audience. Since he started recording in the 1940s, he has released over fifty albums, many of them Blues classics. He has one of the world's most identifiable guitar styles, borrowing from Blind Lemon Jefferson, T-Bone Walker and others.

 

King was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1984 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. B.B. continues to tour extensively, averaging over 250 concerts per year around the world. B.B. King's most popular crossover hit, 1970's "The Thrill Is Gone," went to #15 pop, an accomplishment few Blues musicians can claim. He is truly the King of Blues!

 

 

There you go - the two champions of Jazz and Blues. All you now need to do is pick who you want to win (please highlight in some way or another) and go through to the next stage of the Knock out and one step closer to the Grand Final! You have until Tuesday 15th July 2008 to make your choice!

[el Nynaeve]

I have to go with Louis Armstrong, I'm more familiar with him than King.

[Kara_J]

Louis Armstrong for me too.

[Corki]

This is a tough one to call. Both are giants, but I think B.B. King just edges it.

[Kristine]

gonna have to go with the great Satchmo - Louis Armstrong!

[Majsju]

Tough one, but since I do prefer jazz over blues, Lous Armstrong.

[Moghedian]

Louis Armstrong  8)

[Samuraiflip05]

Wow...I would have hoped a matchup like this wouldn't have come until later in the rounds....lol.  Tough decision, but Jazz does top Blues in my book. 

 

 

[glow=red,2,300]Louis Armstrong[/glow]

[snin83]

Louis Armstrong for me as well.  BB King is goosd, but I enjoy Jazz better.

[Auld Manriva]

When did BB get goosd? I hope it didn't give him too much of a start! He's old...

 

Well.. I'm goin for BLUES here.. I like jazz and all. I'm not a huge fan of the Armstrong era though. I enjoy it now and again, but I can listen to Blues every day.

[Taymist]

Louis Armstrong

[KingKastchei]

Oooof!  Some seriously tough competition in the 2nd round here folks...  Dang, this is a tough one.  I'd have to go with [glow=red,2,300]Louis[/glow] though, as much as I absolutely love both.

[Corki]

Well, it was a storming victory for Louis Armstrong in what I thought would be a much closer affair,

 

Louis Armstrong 9-2 B.B. King

 

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