MMED 702 History of Jazz

3 credits 45.0 hours
700 level graduate course

Study of jazz from its African and European roots through its emergence at the turn of the twentieth century as a unique and distinctive American art form. The various styles of jazz are studied (ragtime, New Orleans Dixieland, Chicago style, swing, be-bop, cool, hard-bop, funk, freeform, third stream, fusion, contemporary trends and Afro-Latin inspired jazz), including their effect on the popular music with which jazz has coexisted. The course includes in-depth study of the primary exponents of the various styles. Audio and video materials are used to provide students with a better understanding of jazz and its influences on American culture. In terms of prerequisites, it is assumed that students are acquainted with basic music theory. A grasp of music theory is of particular importance in the analysis of improvised solos that will periodically be distributed. Successful completion of this course will likely have a positive impact on your performance skill, composition/arranging competencies, recognition of various jazz styles and the influences they have had on American culture, your participation and contribution to ensembles, and your understanding of jazz and it’s place in the world. You will also be well equipped to teach jazz history either as a component of other courses or as a stand-alone course.

This course is not repeatable for credit.