Following the recent post about plunger mutes, Rifftides reader Deborah Hendrick sent a reqest:
Would you give us a history lesson sometime, on the origin of mutes. “Jazz” seems to be played with muted brass more often than not. I’ve always wondered why, and how the practice began.
Aside from the plunger, mutes for brass instruments are not primarily specific to jazz, and they go back much further. I can give you no better history of mutes than this brief one on a website devoted to them.
As an appendix to that document, here is the brilliant cornetist Warren Vaché demonstrating a raft of mutes to his student Laura Telman.
For more of Vaché on the cornet and trumpet, go to his ArtistHouse page.
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
For my own idiosyncratic take on mutes, you can go:
Here
Here
and Here
Those posts are invaluable, Steve. Many thanks.
In my book Jazz Anecdotes, there is a chapter titled “Inventions” which discusses mutes, among other things.
I’ve been down so many bunny trails that I didn’t think I’d ever get back to you. Thank you so much for answering my question—I’ve had the most amazing tramp. I have a crush on Warren Vaché (I do love the little round cornet). Thanks also to Steve Provizer and Bill Crow for their information—I followed all their links, too. Finished up with Chris Botti playing a muted” Hallelujah”—finally had to say no mas, and leave YouTube behind.