New to Jazz?
Jazz is the only genre of music that has emerged from the United States. Dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the music ranges from ragtime to present day. As a jazz melody is hard to follow, the actual music is hard to define: it combines pop, brass bands and blue notes, and its songs are often improvisational.
Jay Z’s and Kanye West’s ‘New Day’ Samples Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’
Madonna’s ‘Sanctuary’ Samples Herbie Hancock’s ‘Watermelon Man’
Erykah Badu Covers Donald Byrd’s ‘Stepping Into Tomorrow’
*Check out more samples and covers in jazz at WhoSampled.com
The genre’s greatest musicians are well-known names such as Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong – all of whom have been listed as some of the most influential jazz artists of all time. Noteworthy jazz samplers in more recent popular music include Jay Z and Kanye West and Madonna. Other familiar contemporary hip-hop artists like Erykah Badu have done full covers of jazz songs. Perhaps you’re already familiar with these ditties: Want to hear more? Here’s KCCK’s recommended New to Jazz playlist. (Insert Spotify list here)
IOWA JAZZ MUSICIANS
The state of Iowa has contributed greatly to the world of jazz, providing a heritage and education to many influential jazz artists. The strong jazz education programs in Iowa schools are producing many new young players, some of whom will surely be played on our radio station in the future. Here are some notable examples of Iowans whose influence is felt throughout the world:
The Innovators
Glenn Miller – active 1923 to 1944
Bix Biederbecke – active 1924 to 1931
Rod Cless – active 1927 to 1944
Jack Jenney – active 1930s to 1945
Addison Farmer – active 1940s to 1963
Art Farmer – active 1940s to 1999
Newer Groovers
Eddie Barefield – active 1962 to 1976
Al Jarreau – active 1975 to 2017
Ellyn Rucker – active 1979 to present
Patricia Barber – active 1989 to present
Dan Knight – active in the 1990s
Ryan Kisor – active 1992 to present
JAZZ IN YOUR SCHOOL
The Schoolhouse Jazz Program includes an all-school concert with the Schoolhouse Jazz team made up of professional performer-educators. This is a great adjunct for Black History Month in February, or for Jazz Appreciation month in April. The basic presentation runs about 45 minutes.
– Students will learn how jazz grew out of Negro field music in the deep south and was influenced by West African rhythms.
– Musical selections will illustrate basic jazz concepts, periods and styles. With enough lead-time, the presentation can be customized to incorporate other subjects that students are studying concurrently.
– The presentation can be done once for the entire student body, or broken up into two separate groups (usually K-3 and 4-6), with slightly different presentations for younger and older student groups.
– Learn more about the program or reserve your concert today by contancting Schoolhouse Jazz Music Director Dennis McPartland at schoolhousejazz@kcck.org or 319-366-0092.
Jazz Band Camp – KCCK and Kirkwood Community College offer Jazz Band Camp to your middle school students each July. The camp introduces students to playing jazz in multiple configurations, enhances their middle school band experience and prepares them for high school jazz band. Students in Jazz Band Camp will also play alongside jazz educators and professional jazz musicians.
Tuition is $249 and includes all classes, teaching materials, a Jazz Camp T-Shirt and CD of the final concert. A meal plan is available. Scholarships are awarded to students who would not otherwise be able to attend camp without tuition help. Click here for scholarship information.
The Corridor Jazz Project showcases the outstanding high school jazz programs in the Creative Corridor and provides the opportunity for high school musicians to interact with and learn from college jazz directors and other professional players.
– Each participating school is matched with a professional musician who performs as a guest soloist with the school’s top jazz ensemble. The group rehearses the tune in 1-2 sessions.The band and guest artist record the track, under the direction of professional producers. All the tracks are included on a compilation CD.
– High school-age artists can also submit a design for the cover art, which is chosen by a committee of artists/art educators.
– A CD release party and concert, featuring the bands and guest artists, is then held at an area venue. Schools are given blocks of tickets from which they can sell and keep the proceeds.
– The CD is made available to each school, below cost, to sell and keep the profit. The album airs periodically on KCCK, particularly during Jazz Appreciation Month (April), and is also available at local retailers.