Great albums: Kind of Blue
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- Start Date: 08 Jul 2025End Date: 08 Jul 2025Tue (Daytime): 11:00 - 13:00In PersonFull fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £20.00
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What is the course about?
“Kind of Blue”, the product of two 3 hour recording sessions, has become a much venerated artefact, a frozen temporal moment , replayed millions of times in millions of environments and contexts. It’s peculiar ambiance means that it can function as a scene enhancing moody backdrop but crucially the quiet intensity of the performances rewards close and committed listening and reveals the detail of the empathetic interactions between the musicians which led to something approaching musical perfection.
What will we cover?
- Why does the music sound as it does?
- What were the circumstances , musical and otherwise , that influenced the project?
- Why is the recording considered as a watershed in the history of jazz?
- What was the contribution of the other musicians involved?
- How important was the contribution of the recording technicians?
- What came before and what followed as a consequence?
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Understand the importance of “Kind of Blue” in not just the musical evolution of Miles Davis but the history of jazz in general
- Explain simply, the difference between chordal and modal based improvisation.
- Describe the unique set of circumstances that combined to produce “Kind of Blue”.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge of jazz is required .
You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English, engage in class discussions and take notes in English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The class will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom.
You will be encouraged to enjoy extra reading after class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after each session.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
To find out more about music history classes Music history courses in London and online which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.
aLbi is a mostly self-taught saxophonist and composer, obsessed with jazz and its evolution since his early teens when he stumbled across his father’s precious vinyl collection of half a dozen discs. Perhaps something of the emotional nuance and intensity of John Coltrane and Stan Getz resonated with his own adolescent turmoil. aLbi was stunned to discover that Coltrane and Getz were playing the same instrument, tenor sax, so different were the “voices” they projected, and came to understand that the striving for a personal sound and expression were integral to the music. He became immersed in that world and its history. aLbi has formed bands playing original compositions, a sort of neo punk, jazz, reggae, funk, calypso with surreal and comic lyrics, often manically theatrical and at one point popular in the pubs, clubs and colleges of Kent. He has since become involved with theatre companies composing and collaborating and has written, produced and appeared in two original musicals. In 2007 one collaborative project was awarded the Samuel Becket Trust award for new and original theatre. aLbi has taught a variety of jazz history courses at City Lit since 2014.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.