The History of Jazz

Join Pulse Beat Music on a journey through the history of jazz music, often called “America’s greatest original art form.”  We will begin our trip in New Orleans over 150 years ago.  In this melting pot, West African and European musical cultures had already been sharing ideas for a century or more.  The result was an African swing that used European instruments to play melodies, solo and improvise.  We will visit the development of jazz as it evolved through Dixieland, Big Band, Bebop, Latin jazz and funk jazz periods.  Along the way, we will talk about the instruments of the rhythm section: piano, upright bass and drums.  Students will get a chance to learn call and response, sing some “scat” lyrics, and play instruments with the band as the show culminates in an old-fashioned jam session.

Availability: All days available

For all ages

Technical Requirements

• one microphone
• Stage
• Outlet with extension chord