How to Listen to Jazz
This class will meet weekly on Sundays running April 5th - June 7th.
This class is taught by saxophonist and composer Kate Olson. Learn about the history and importance of Jazz music through the ages with guided listening and discussion based classes. The course will cover Early/Traditional Jazz, Big Band Jazz, Bebop, Hard Bop, Cool Jazz, Fusion, Modern Jazz and beyond. There are no prerequisites for this course—just bring an open mind and open ears!
1. Traditional Jazz and the roots of jazz in New Orleans: Buddy Bolden and Louis Armstrong
2. Big Band Jazz: Duke Ellington and Count Basie
3. Bebop: Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie,Â
4. Hard Bop: The Adderley Brothers, Horace Silver
5. Free Jazz: Coleman to Coltrane
6. Fusion: The electric revolution with Chick Corea, Weather Report, and Michael Brecker
-
Women in Jazz
8. Modern Jazz and Beyond
-
Sociopolitical implications of Jazz
-
What is Jazz? And what isn’t jazz?
This is a 10 week course meeting in person once a week for 90 minutes.
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Beginning, intermediate, or advanced
Jazz Night School is a vibrant and welcoming community-based nonprofit music education program that is home to hundreds of like-minded learners. Our school offers great opportunities to meet other dedicated jazz students and artists. Whatever your skill level, we have a place for you.
Schedule a skills assessment
We strongly encourage all new students to schedule a complimentary skills assessment so we can help you figure out the best place to start.
What is it like to learn with us?
As a student at Jazz Night School, you'll be part of a friendly, supportive community that shares a love and deep appreciation for jazz music in all its various forms. Your development as a musician is our primary educational goal. Whatever your skill level, our program can help you improve your musicianship and discover your own unique musical voice. For new students, we provide a complimentary introductory session that includes a skills assessment. This session gives you a chance to share your goals and interests and helps us point you to the most appropriate offerings. Each quarter we offer a wide variety of classes and workshops on improvisation, harmony, ear-training, and specialized topics. Our online classes feature lots of discussion and opportunity for questions and answers. There are no grades at Jazz Night School; rather, instructors give each student individual feedback on an ongoing basis. Everyone's effort is valued. When public health restrictions are relaxed, we will return to offering group ensemble opportunities that culminate in a short performance at a local nightclub. This is a fun-filled evening where friends and family come to applaud student efforts and cheer them on to new heights of musical expression!
We understand that most of our students have important life commitments such as work and family. There may be days that you have to deal with a sick child or a pressing work deadline and you aren't able to put in as much practice time as you would have liked. We get it. Our goal is to support your musical aspirations at whatever pace you are able to sustain at this time in your life.
Instructors
Jazz Night School instructors are some of the finest musicians and educators in Seattle’s vibrant jazz community. Some have learned their art through old school traditions and others have studied at premier institutions such as Berklee College of Music, Eastman, Indiana University, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, and University of Miami.Â
All Jazz Night School policies must be adhered to for enrollment, policies can be found here.