Introducing Jazz History And Literature, Reconceived

When I was invited to offer jazz coursework in 2007, as Bucknell University’s first Kushell Jazz Artist-in-Residence, my Chair asked what single subject I thought was most important to teach. I responded, “an integrated jazz history and literature sequence, including a semester of classic jazz and one of modern jazz.” To which he replied, “Fine, just as long as you can craft it so that both music majors and non-majors can take your courses successfully, without prerequisites, and yet all be challenged.” This first exchange led to five consecutive years of teaching these courses, to both students and a dozen Bucknell faculty members… [ read more ]