Jazz History

This is an introductory course to the cultural, social, and musical history of jazz music and some of its derivatives.  We will explore the styles and structures of the music itself as well as some of the major creators and innovators that shaped the music.  We will also look at some of the surrounding art forms that helped create the music and some that came about because of the music.

Lessons

Lesson 1           Introduction:  What is Jazz/Elements of 
                               Music (rhythm, harmony, melody)

                         How to Listen (song forms & performance 
                               routines:  blues/A-A-B-A form)

                       

Lesson 2           Origins of Jazz:  African musical retentions, 
                               Work Songs and Blues

                       

Lesson 3           Spirituals and Gospel:  Thomas Dorsey, 
                               James Cleveland

                       

Lesson 4           Ragtime and Early Jazz (Dixieland):  Scott 
                               Joplin, Louis Armstrong

                       

Lesson 5           Swing & The Big Bands: Fletcher 
                               Henderson, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, 

                               Benny Goodman       

                       

                        Test 1

Lesson 7           Bebop: Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, 
                               Thelonius Monk, and Bud Powell

                       

Lesson 8           Afro and Latin Jazz:  Chano Pazo, Tito 
                               Puente, Mongo Santamaria

                          Vocalists:  Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, 
                               Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, 
                               Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole

Lesson 9           Cool Jazz, Third Stream & Hard Bop: 
                               Miles & Gil Evans, Lennie Tristano, Lee 
                               Konitz, Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz, 
                               Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Dexter 

                               Gordon, Sonny Rollins

Lesson 10         Miles Davis: Groups and Sideman

                       

Lesson 11         Avante Garde and Free Jazz: John Coltrane, 
                               Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor

                                               

Lesson 12         Fusion:  Weather Report, Yellowjackets, Pat 
                               Metheny

                       

Lesson 13         Young Lions, New Age & Hip Hop

                       

                        Test 2