Jungle style

Jungle style is actually not a jazz genre, but a style element that was developed and perfected by Duke Ellington together with the " Washingtonians " and later with his own orchestra.

The aim is to create music that characterizes the exotic , mysterious and attractive world of the jungle. Probably the most striking element is the modified sound of the trumpet or cornet . This sound is known as growling and was played by Bubber Miley and Cootie Williams , both members of Ellington's orchestra. Instead of a pure tone to produce, is produced by means of the damper ( Mute ), a rasping sound associated with solid melodies. In terms of onomatopoeia, this sound is also called wah-wah .

Typical songs for the jungle style are Echos of the Jungle , Creole Love Call , The Mooche and East St. Louis Toodle-Oo , all by Ellington.

The jungle elements are now preferably associated with gangsters of the twenties and with mafia films about that time. They are no longer limited to swing alone, but are also used, for example, in contemporary jazz by Pierre Dørge .