History of Jazz

The History of Jazz is a unit on jazz history and theory with an introduction to the lives and recordings of several jazz legends. A series of guided reading describe the key points of jazz history, basic elements of jazz theory, and the biographies of prominent jazz legends with authentic photos. The style period lessons are meant to be sequential, but the biographies may be taught in any order.

Each lesson has a teacher-assisted reading, suggested "Listening Example" lesson of a legendary recording, teaching process guidelines and assessments. There are assessment questions and answers with a reproducible Student Assessment page. Digital resources are included for use with computer/projector or Smartboard. The Listening Examples can be accessed from the provided YouTube links.

Contents: Introduction Roots of Jazz - Maple Leaf Rag Dixieland - Cake Walkin' Babies (From Home) Louis Armstrong - St. Louis Blues Blues - Back Water Blues Swing - Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) Duke Ellington - Take the "A" Train Count Basie - Jumpin' at the Woodside Lester Young - Lester Leaps In Be-Bop - Ko-ko Dizzy Gillespie - Salt Peanuts Charlie Parker - Celebrity Cool and Modal - Take Five Miles Davis - So What? John Coltrane - Giant Steps Soul, Bossa Nova, Fusion and Smooth Jazz - Mister Magic Bibliography/Jazz Time Line