Jazz History

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Jazz is a genre broad in scope that has crossed lines of race, class, geography, politics, religion, and genre. Exploring the various facets and histories of jazz is the central goal of this course as we examine the origins of jazz from its roots in West Africa, its beginnings and development in New Orleans, its northward migration to New York and Chicago, and its steady rise as a global phenomenon. Students will read a wide array of primary and secondary sources and listen to a range of recordings to discover the various processes, meanings, functions, and experiences of jazz. As jazz was the first musical genre shaped by modern sound technology, this class strongly emphasizes developing listening skills and mining the rich jazz culture of Washington, DC, by visiting venues and experiencing live jazz performances. No previous music experience is necessary.