Class Description
“It is America’s music . . . between having and not having; between happy and sad . . . between black and white, and men and women . . . It’s an improvisational art, making itself up as it goes along . . . It rewards individual expression, but demands selfless collaboration . . . above all, it swings.”
—Ken Burns.
Join this class to explore Jazz from its 1860 beginnings through two World Wars; its evolution from Blues and Dixieland to Swing and Bebop, Rock and Roll, and Hip Hop.
Through various media—film, audio, and documentaries—we will learn the basics of Jazz through those who made it happen: Armstrong, Goodman, Miller, Fitzgerald, Ellington, Basie, Kenton, Brubeck, and more. Experience Jazz’s chronological development in an easy-to-understand and thorough learning experience.
Glenn Derringer began his musical career at age 9, appearing on the Jackie Gleason Show, Perry Como, and as soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. After graduating from Temple University, he held executive positions with Wurlitzer, Baldwin, and Gibson Guitar, and taught music for more than 40 years.
Materials List
- Instructor-Distributed Materials
First Reading
- No first reading assignment
Cost and Registration
Six sessions, $247 ($220.50 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
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