Writing Assignments
Writing Assignments
- Blues and Early Jazz
- This tape includes recordings from the 1920s which we will be discussing during the third and fourth weeks of class.
- Due in class Feb. 15 *
- Modern Jazz
- This tape includes recordings from the 1940s - 80s which we will be discussing during the second half of the semester.
- Due in class April 28 *
Midterm Paper - Jazz History: 1900 - 1950
- Due March 17, by 4:30 p.m. *
Guidelines:
- 3 -5 pages
- double-spaced
- title page
- bibliography
- discography
- footnotes
Write a 3 - 5 page paper on jazz or a jazz related topic that falls between 1900 - 1950. Your paper may be on any jazz style for example New Orleans, Swing or Dixieland or genres that influenced jazz for example blues, harlem stride, ragtime or popular song. You may discuss and examine a style through the music of a composer or performer. For example a paper on swing could be discussed and examined through the music of Tommy Dorsey or Count Basie. A paper on a non-jazz genre such as boogie-woogie could discuss the roots and character of this style and its impact on the music of Mary Lou Williams and Count Basie. You may also write a paper on a subject that has jazz as major component. For example, a topic on jazz and its connection with one of the following: politics, race, gender, culture or technology is acceptable.
- Possible Topics:
- Jazz and Radio
- Jazz and the Recording Industry
- World War II
- Jazz and Film
- Women and Jazz
- Racism
- Jazz in Europe
- Biographies(please include and explain musical examples)
- Swing
- Bebop
- Cool
- New Orleans
- Boogie Woogie
- Blues
- Jazz Scenes(e.g. New Orleans, Chicago, Kansas City and New York)
Final Paper. 6 - 8 pages:
Due Friday May 18 by 5 p.m. *
Guidelines:
- Double-spaced
- Title page
- Bibliography
- Discography
Your final paper may be on any topic that pertains to jazz. You may write on the life and music of a performer, the style of a composers, the use of jazz as protest, jazz and race or the influence of African and Indian music on jazz musicians of the 1960s. A paper on the influence of jazz on other styles for example classical music, bluegrass and rock is also acceptable. If your paper involves discussing the musical characteristics of performer, for example the scatting style of Ella Fitzgerald, you must include musical examples. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.