Seminar in Jazz Literature-MUSC 7046

Wednesday: 11am – 1:50pm

Dr. John Davis - (303) 492-5299/davisj@colorado.edu

Office Hours: MWR 2pm-3pm (Macky 116)

                                                                   

 

Course Objectives: This course is designed to develop further critical thinking skills and set standards for research and writing. This will be the primary historical research component within the required coursework (DMA Jazz Studies) that falls outside outside of the dissertation projects.

 

As this is a seminar, you are expected to ask questions and share opinions at any time. This course is student driven, and interactive.

 

Grade criteria:

20%   Class participation

When not presenting research, students are expected to provide critical observations and discussion on the weekly topic presented by fellow students.

         40%   Class research projects and oral presentations

Students will research assigned topics related to the main course material, resulting in a short paper and brief in-class presentation.

         40%   Research Paper

Students will generate a major paper (the topic of which must be approved by the instructor) and present findings to the class at the end of the course.

 

Jan 17:       Introduction, significance of the recording

 

Jan 24:       Miles Davis; 1949-1955: ÒBirth of the Cool,Ó Gil Evans, 55th Street Project, significant recordings

 

Jan 31:       The Musicians; Jimmy Cobb, Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly

 

Feb. 7:       Columbia Records, George Avakian

 

Feb 14:       The Rise of Modal Jazz: John Coltrane, Leonard Bernstein and ÒWhat is Jazz?Ó, Bill Evans/Joe Zawinul and the modal jazz rubric

 

Feb 21:       The 30th Street Studio: the new facility, Quincy Jones, recording techniques, the engineers

 

Feb 28:       Production Staff, Teo Macero: evolvement from editor to producer

 

Mar 7:        The First Recording Session: initial tracks, personnel, payment, Wynton Kelly confusion, tape use, microphone placement, philosophy

 

Mar 14:      The Second Recording Session: use of safety reels, tracks, on-site photography, multiple takes

 

Mar 21:      Marketing of ÒKind of BlueÓ: Columbia and Irving Townsend, mislabeling, first pressing, titles, album cover design, Bill Evans and liner notes, releasing of 45s

 

Apr 4:        Legacy of ÒKind of BlueÓ: critical reviews, the modal jazz movement, Herbie Hancock, other leaders, sidemen and leaders, sales

 

Apr 11:      Further Influences: affect on jazz education, improvisation, the saxophonists

 

Apr 18:      Research Presentations

 

Apr 25:      Research Presentations

 

May 1:       Research Presentations

 

 

 

Disabilities: If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed.  Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities.  Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices. Disability Services' letters for students with disabilities indicate legally mandated reasonable accommodations.  The syllabus statements and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices.

 

Religious observances: Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance.

See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

 

Classroom behavior: Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions.  Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender variance, and nationalities.  Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records.  See polices at: http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html   and at: http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code

 

Honor Code: All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior.  All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at

http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at

http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/.

 

Sexual Harassment: The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment (http://www.colorado.edu/policies/discrimination.html, the University of

Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships applies to all students, staff and faculty.  Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550.  Information about the ODH and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at  http://www.colorado.edu/odh.