Identify the features of the Tonight Quintet which show the influence of jazz
and Latin American music.
Firstly, the jazz features can be seen in the scoring/instrumentation as present in the
instrumental accompaniment is jazz instruments such as saxophones, drum kit,
electric guitar and piano. Another jazz feature is the fact the accompaniment consists
of several ostinatos such as the three-crotchet bass ostinato that begins the piece.
The brass fanfare figures at the start of the piece all contain brass con sordini (with
mutes) which is another key element of jazz. In the bar after “Have us a ball” there is
a saxophone and trumpet downwards glissandi, another jazz feature.
In addition, another jazz feature is evident in Anita’s verse as the text “Anita’s gonna
get her kicks” is set to a swung rhythm. Furthermore, the added note chords such as
9th chords that occur in the alternating harmony of Tony’s verse of A9 root and B9
2nd inversion chords add to this jazz influence.
Additionally, a brief note on the Latin American influences before I talk about the
features of this evident influence must be made. At the time West Side Story (the
musical the piece us from) was a time of mass immigration and this is a theme
discovered in the musical but it led in New York City especially the emergence of
Latin American jazz and therefore the Latin American influences also become a jazz
feature of the music as well.
Finally, onto the Latin American features of the music now. The “Puerto Grumble
text” accompaniment rhythm derives from Latin American dance forms alluding to
this influence and is especially embellished by the maraca (a strong Latin instrument
which furthers this allusion) while also emphasises this rhythm. The 2/2 at the lyrical
presentation of the ‘Tonight’ theme by Maria adds to the Latin-American feel too. The
accompaniment to Maria’s lyrical solo derives from the Beguine dance form adding
to these Latin American influences and also permeates the piece. Finally, the
prominence of the trumpet adds to the heroism of Latin American music and is a
common instrument of this genre.
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