Читання. Текст "American Jazz"

American Jazz

Americans have contributed to many art forms, but jazz, a type of music, is the only art form that was created in the United States. Jazz was created by black Americans.

Jazz is a mixture of many different kinds of music. It is a combination of the music of West America, the work songs the slaves sang, and religious music.  Jazz bands formed in the late 1800s. Improvisation is an important part of jazz.

Today people from all over the world play jazz.  Jazz musicians from the United States, Asia, Africa, South America and Europe meet and share their music at festivals on every continent. In this way, jazz continues to grow and change.

The most famous jazz singer is Louis Armstrong. Louis Daniel Armstrong was born on July 4, 1900, in New Orleans, the birthplace of American jazz. His father, Willie, was a worker. In 1913 Armstrong became the leader of the school band. A musician taught him how to read music when he joined a Mississippi riverboat band.

In 1922 he went to Chicago to play with Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band. Armstrong organized his own band in Chicago in 1925. With his phenomenal gift for melodic variations, he was able to turn jazz from ensemble music to a solo art. 

The voice was first used as an instrument by Armstrong. Another of Armstrong’s innovations was the professional playing of jazz.  He appeared on television frequently and made more than 35 short films or movies. His classics include “West End Blues” and “Weather Bird”.

He died on July 6, 1971, in New York City.

True or false.

Jazz was created in the USA.

Both white and black musicians created jazz.

Jazz is a mixture of some music styles.

Jazz bands were formed in the late 19th century.

Musicians all over the world take part in different jazz festivals on every continent.

Louis Armstrong is the only person who sang jazz in the 50s of the 20th century.

New Orleans is the birthplace of American jazz and Louis Armstrong.

Louis Armstrong was a very talented musician who created his band in Chicago.

He never appeared on television.

Louis Armstrong made more than thirty films.