The essential history of jazz in 20 cuts
Time: 13:00 - 15:00
Location: Keeley Street
This course has now started
- Course Code: MD620
- Dates: 13/01/25 - 24/03/25
- Time: 13:00 - 15:00
- Taught: Mon, Daytime
- Duration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Albi Gravener
Course Code: MD620
Duration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
The term “Jazz” is used to describe many different styles of music but what is it; how is it constructed; how do you know if it’s good or bad; why is it so important?
This course introduces you to the leading exponents of one of the 20th century’s greatest musical revolutions, featuring albums such as Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue, John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme and key recordings by artists from Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus to Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and many more.
What will we cover?
- The roots and evolution of jazz throughout the 20th century
- The social and historical forces that gave rise to and propelled the music
- Biographies and recommended listening for the major figures as well as lesser-known artists
- Jazz beyond the United States
- The influence of the music on popular culture then and now
- An introduction to recording and playing techniques
- How to listen
- The jazz vocalist.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Recognise major figures within Jazz
- Place artists, bands and styles within a historical context
- seek out other recordings made by the artists discussed and related artists
- Discuss playing and recording techniques using the relevant terminology.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge is required. You need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions and engage in class discussion in English, and to take your own notes.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor presentation, guided listening, class discussion and debate.
Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom: handouts, scores, links to online audio and video, recommendations to encourage and support further reading and listening outside class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring a notebook and pen to make your own notes.
You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend live performances.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a wide range of Music history courses. For more information, visit our Guide to the Music history programme.
You may also be interested in our Music theory and musicianship offer, or one of our many practical music courses.
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.
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