George Gershwin (1838-1937), perhaps most well known for his song Rhapsody In Blue (video below), took great interest in Debussy's music. Gershwin loved classical composers such as Debussy, and he was especially influenced by Debussy's harmony. Listening to Porgy and Bess (1959, video below), an opera written by Gershwin, it's obviously filled with Debussy-type harmonies with closely knit chords and frantic melodies. What Gershwin loved about Debussy and hence brought into his own music was Debussy's ability to create music by only using very few notes. The openings of his songs were so simple, but they create an incredible atmosphere. This can be seen replicated in jazz music, with the simple one-note melodies and improvisations throughout jazz pieces. Gershwin was also well-known for his incredible ability to improvise. This is a constant part of many jazz songs, and necessary to understand how to do to be a jazz musician. (8Notes)
Duke Ellington (1899-1974), a highly influential jazz musician in the early 1900s, also claims that Debussy's works influenced his own in his jazz compositions. Through the extended form and slow blues style of his music, and the use of riffs, call and response, Debussy's influence can be heard. The creative sonorities, expansion of blues and related material - all of these elements influenced Ellington as he composed his suites. At the early age of seven, Duke had his first piano lessons, but they did not leave a lasting impression. Later in his life, he ended up developing a fascination for music, seeking out and listening to ragtime pianists in Washington, and during the summers, in Philadelphia. Returning home, Duke yearned to play, and dedicated himself to the task. Thus Duke's music career was born. (The Official Website) One of Ellington's songs, entitled Soda Fountain Rag (video below), uses Debussy's style of using scales to create a catchy and rushed feeling. It also shows how Debussy's word painting influenced Ellington - the rushed sound provides listeners with an idea of how work must have been for him, as he wrote the song during his employment at a soda fountain.
Duke Ellington (1899-1974), a highly influential jazz musician in the early 1900s, also claims that Debussy's works influenced his own in his jazz compositions. Through the extended form and slow blues style of his music, and the use of riffs, call and response, Debussy's influence can be heard. The creative sonorities, expansion of blues and related material - all of these elements influenced Ellington as he composed his suites. At the early age of seven, Duke had his first piano lessons, but they did not leave a lasting impression. Later in his life, he ended up developing a fascination for music, seeking out and listening to ragtime pianists in Washington, and during the summers, in Philadelphia. Returning home, Duke yearned to play, and dedicated himself to the task. Thus Duke's music career was born. (The Official Website) One of Ellington's songs, entitled Soda Fountain Rag (video below), uses Debussy's style of using scales to create a catchy and rushed feeling. It also shows how Debussy's word painting influenced Ellington - the rushed sound provides listeners with an idea of how work must have been for him, as he wrote the song during his employment at a soda fountain.