Courses

Early jazz stands as a cultural cornerstone in American history, transcending boundaries and sparking a revolutionary spirit that reshaped society and unleashed a wave of creative expression that reverberates through the realms of music and culture to this day. In this engaging course, we will travel through the soulful streets of New Orleans and the boisterous dance halls of America to unlock the secrets behind the evolution of jazz. We will begin with its African roots and trace its ascent to the zenith of popular culture in 1940s America.

Through focused listening exercises, readings, and in-depth examinations, we will review landmark performances that left an indelible mark on the annals of music history. Students will immerse themselves in the rich harmonies and improvisations that define the essence of jazz while uncovering the nuances of blues, traditional jazz, piano styles, and the infectious rhythms of swing. Along the way, we will encounter legendary figures such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Jelly Roll Morton, whose mesmerizing virtuosity and artistic brilliance transformed the jazz landscape, tore down racial barriers, and elevated the genre to new heights of sophistication and artistic expression. Students will leave this course with an appreciation for jazz’s fascinating origins, an understanding of its transformative power, and a new passion for its enduring legacy.