What does it mean to be a vocalist in the modern jazz times? For example Theo Bleckmann ’sings’ with Jazz BigBand Graz. How has the conception of a vocalist in jazz expanded beyond that of a singer fronting a band?
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Discuss how stride and ragtime pianists incorporated different aspects of marching music into one instrument: the piano. Which parts of the left hand and right hand correspond to which parts of a marching band?
Compare the drumming styles of Jimmy Cobb (Kind of Blue - “All Blues”) and Tony Williams (Complete Columbia Studio Recordings - “Circle”). What generalizations can you make about the overall sound of Miles group on Kind of Blue vs. his second great quintet (which you hear on the Complete Columbia Studio Recordings)?
Check out the listening assignment page, and listen to Bud Powell play “Glass Enclosure” and “Un Poco Loco”. After listening to Bill Cunliffe’s version of those two tunes, discuss what elements of Bud Powell that Cunliffe chooses to incorporate and what elements he chooses to ignore/change.
Post your observations regarding comparisons/contrasts between Uri Caine’s version of the Funeral March from Symphony No. 5 and the actual orchestral recording.
What makes you like one or the other more? Discuss in general the blending of classical and jazz styles, specifically the pitfalls that may crop up when the two genres meld into one.
[note: you can listen to the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra perform the work via UT Arlington’s subscription to the NAXOS online listening library:
http://uta.naxosmusiclibrary.com/catalogue/item.asp?cid=8.550528. If you are not on campus, you may need to enter your UTA netID and password.]
Listen to Coltrane’s “Impressions.” What tune is this based on? What’s the special feature of this track (instrumentation-wise)? How would you describe Coltrane’s modal playing on this track? (Modal = one chord for an extended period of time). Talk about how Coltrane set the standard for modal playing in the years to come.
Extra brownie points: can you name the classical piece where Coltrane got this melody?
Let’s have a discussion about Chris Potter’s tune, “The Source,” on Gratitude. He dedicates it to John Coltrane. What Coltrane tune do you think is similar to “The Source”? (Hint, it’s on the album Giant Steps). Make sure you back up your argument somehow.
Have at it.
I am currently making my way through a pre-release copy of one of our guest artist Joe McCarthy’s albums, called “Music of the Caribbean Jazz Project.” It’s a big band called the Afro Bop Alliance Big Band. The record features Dave Samuels and Roberto Quintero. Some really great afro-cuban type writing.
If you want to check out more of Joe McCarthy’s stuff, visit his website at http://www.joemcdrum.com/.
I’ve been checking out Bill Evans lately - started my way through the Complete Bill Evans on Riverside (12 discs!). I will be transcribing much of that stuff along the way.
This weekend I listened to Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” on vinyl. So many great tunes on that 2 record album.
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