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Jazz from J to Z
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JAZZ FROM J TO Z
About the Concert:
The story of Jazz is one of musical fusion and cross-pollination, of forced and of voluntary emigrations and immigrations, and represents in many ways the essence of the American experience.
Jazz began in the south – the spirituals and field hollers of African-Americans born into slavery become the ragtime, blues and early jazz associated with New Orleans. In the beginning, Africa met Western Europe along the banks of the Mississippi. Later, in the New York City of the 20's and 30's, the American South would meet Russia in Manhattan as jazz and African-American music in general would undergo a fortuitous meeting with Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. From this dynamic New York melting pot, Broadway and the great American popular song tradition were born as were many of the jazz standards of today by Gershwin, Porter, Kern, etc.
The natural openness of jazz to transformation and innovation has created a vibrant tradition spanning the globe. In only one hundred years, jazz has found a home throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and created unique fusions between jazz and blues and local folk and popular traditions.
This concert focuses on the origins of this great American tradition and how jazz spread from beyond its home in the south to reach all across the USA. Beginning with West African songs and percussion, the concert continues with spirituals and work songs of the slavery period.
As ragtime and the Blues emerged simultaneously in the South, the Dixieland Jazz tradition was blossoming in New Orleans. From these beginnings, Jazz grew to include the styles of Stride piano, the Cotton Club sounds of Harlem in the 20's, the sophistication of Duke Ellington, the Big Band era, Cool, Be Bop, and Rhythm and Blues to the sounds of contemporary popular music of today.
Some of the songs titles heard in this concert program include:
West African folk songs
Gospel and Spirituals such as 'Motherless Child', 'Oh Happy Day'
Maple Leaf Rag – Scott Joplin
Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey
The "A" train - Duke Ellington
A Foggy Day George Gershwin
Aint' Misbehavin'– Fats Waller
Just One of Those Things - Cole Porter
Love for Sale
Unforgettable
Body and Soul
All the Things You Are
Nearness of You
Bye Bye Blackbird
Stormy Monday
Unchain My Heart
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