This course covers the history and origin of Jazz and its stylistic development from the various periods of pre-jazz to today. The class will include an extensive study of important musicians, composers, arrangers, and styles which evolved the genre. The class will include detailed listening assignments and an introduction to jazz musical vocabulary and concepts.
Quarters Offered
Winter
Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge or skills:
- Apply substantive jazz music listening skills through guided listening activities and journaling.
- Define and describe jazz vocabulary for discussion of music in the role of an active listener through written examinations.
- Identify and articulate the historical background of jazz, and the social/political/economic environment of the society that influenced its creation and performance through cooperative learning activities.
- Explain and interpret various composers, performers, compositions, genres, and styles of jazz through research projects and presentations.
Course Content Outline
- Preparation for Jazz Music
- Introducing Jazz
- How to Listen to Jazz
- The Origins of Jazz
- Jazz from 1900-1940
- Early Jazz
- Swing
- Modern Jazz
- Bebop
- Hard Bop
- Avant-Garde
- Fusion
- Now
- Elements of Jazz