Cultural Appreciation, Week VI [Wednesday, Periods 4 & 5]

[atreideslioness]

"If you're from the United States and I say 'Kansas City,' your first thought probably isn't culture," Ghanima teased as the students arrived. "But that's exactly where we are going today."

"The American Jazz Museum's department of collections & exhibitions specializes in several areas, including the history of the 18th & Vine area, jazz masters, jazz on film, new acquisitions & artifacts for the permanent collections and a variety of changing exhibits tied to the jazz experience and aesthetic. Each of the following spaces has its own unique perspective, and they have a musical festival coming up this weekend, and I've got free tickets, for those of you that wish to attend that performance, but today we're going to learn about jazz music first-hand."

"Jazz is a music genre that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States from a confluence of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th century American popular music. Its West African pedigree is evident in its use of blue notes, improvisation, polyrhythms, syncopation, and the swung note. "

"From its beginnings in the early 20th century jazz has spawned a variety of subgenres: New Orleans Dixieland dating from the early 1910s, big band-style swing from the 1930s and 1940s, bebop from the mid-1940s, a variety of Latin jazz fusions such as Afro-Cuban and Brazilian jazz, free jazz from the 1950s and 1960s, jazz fusion from the 1970s, acid jazz from the 1980s, which added funk and hip-hop influences, and Nujazz in the 1990s. As the music has spread around the world it has drawn on local national and regional musical cultures, its aesthetics being adapted to its varied environments and giving rise to many distinctive styles."

[OCD up!]

Comments

Sign-In VI

[atreideslioness]

Swing it!

Re: Sign-In VI

[swordsandsoccer.livejournal.com]

Dolf Wega

Re: Sign-In VI

[glacial_queen]

Karla

During the Lecture

[atreideslioness]

It's short and sweet!

Re: During the Lecture

[robinthefrog.livejournal.com]

Robin thought it strange that the Jazz Museum should be in Kansas City and not, say, anywhere else.

The American Jazz Museum

[atreideslioness]

Horace M. Peterson III Visitors Center

[atreideslioness]

Named for one of Kansas City's experts in African-American history and a key figure in the redevelopment of 18th & Vine and the Black Archives of Mid-America, the Visitors Center includes a variety of artifacts and the film "18th & Vine: A People's Journey," which features a brief history of the African-American experience on 18th & Vine and its contributions to the cultural, social and economic development of Kansas City.

Jazz Masters Exhibit

[atreideslioness]

This area highlights the development of jazz music through the lives and music of four seminal jazz masters: Louis Armstrong, Charlie "Bird" Parker, Duke Ellington & Ella Fitzgerald. Through a combination of artifacts, rare photos, album covers, listening kiosks and a plethora of other materials, visitors experience the creativity of these artists and their contributions to music.

Re: Jazz Masters Exhibit

[glacial_queen]

Karla found herself tapping her feet along to the songs they were playing along with each of the Masters. Ella Fitzgerald's Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen made her wish she could dance like they were in some of the pictures throughout the museum.

Re: Jazz Masters Exhibit

[theotherpeter.livejournal.com]

Now this was some culture Peter could appreciate. He listened at all the kiosks, trying to absorb as much as he could.

Re: Jazz Masters Exhibit

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Oh, now this Helen liked! She hoped there was a gift store of some sort so she could get some of this music to bring home!

Re: Jazz Masters Exhibit

[mathletenomore.livejournal.com]

This wasn't usually the kind of music Lindsay was into, but she could appreciate its influence. That's why she found the exhibit to be interesting.

Re: Jazz Masters Exhibit

[nohaircutsplz]

This music was completely unlike what she was used to, but Medusalith had to admit she found it...intriguing.

Studio 18th & Vine

[atreideslioness]

One of the most interactive parts of the Museum, the Studio features 16 separate listening stations and mixing boards focusing on the three basic elements of music - rhythm, melody and harmony: in addition to a variety of kiosks focusing on instruments including brass, reeds, piano, bass, drums, guitar and keyboards.

The Blue Room

[atreideslioness]

Designed to resemble a nightclub from the 1930s, the Blue Room is not only a jazz club featuring live music four nights a week, but also a part of the permanent exhibit at the American Jazz Museum. Each of the nine tables on the lower level are display cases of rare artifacts of Kansas City jazz, including photos, ticket stubs and musicians contracts. On the upper level, a "wall of fame" showcases images of dozens of musicians who helped craft the "Kansas City sound," and shadow boxes display guitars, saxophones, clarinets, sheet music, records, programs and other artifacts. The Massenburg Mural celebrates the history of jazz and the African-American experience through compelling interpretations of jazz legends and inspiring quotes.

The Other Exhibits & Swing Shop

[atreideslioness]

There's a full list of exhibits here.

The Swing Shop is a jazz enthusiasts' dream store. Located within the American Jazz Museum, the Swing Shop offers a unique selection of jazz related memorabilia: Books, Classic Jazz CDs, CDs by Kansas City's finest artists, Exclusive Posters, Postcards, American Jazz Museum apparel and much more!

Re: The American Jazz Museum

[robinthefrog.livejournal.com]

Robin took lots of pictures, with the intent to send them to the Electric Mayhem.

Talk to the TA

[atreideslioness]

If she doesn't have headphones on!

Re: Talk to the TA

[trigons_child]

Raven was indeed listening to a great deal of the music, but she was still available to help anyone who needed it.

Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

She's enjoying the Studio

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Helen approached Ghanima quietly. "Professor? I would very much like to be able to return for the music festival this weekend."

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[nohaircutsplz]

Medusalith had a feeling Blackagar might be interested in this, and if he wasn't, well, the tickets were free. No harm done. "Professor," she said, "is there any chance I could get two tickets, or are they just for members of the class?"

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[snarkyhealer.livejournal.com]

Shira acted on an uncharacteristic impulse. Why not? It'd be a good way to get out more.

She approached Ghanima. "Are there any tickets left?" She wasn't sure exactly how many Ghanima had gotten.

OOC

[atreideslioness]

I just lost my voice from dealing with my favoritest class. EEEEEE Censorship students!

Re: OOC

[glacial_queen]

The lecture is short and sweet, but it makes no difference if it's sweet or hot.