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Home , French jazz, Pierre Michelot

SYLLABUS

HISTORY OF IN Instructor: Gordon Lee Contact Hrs: 40 Language of Instruction: English

ANGERS, FRANCE

COURSE DESCRIPTION This course examines the close cultural bond between the United States and France, specifically through America’s greatest cultural export: jazz. Since World War I French people have embraced jazz music and welcomed American musicians into their midst. Perhaps it is the spontaneous and improvisational character of jazz that has inspired so many significant artists as well. Through lectures, listening, reading, and field excursions this course will reveal the unique bond forged between two distinct cultures, the U.S. and France, and their shared passion for jazz. This will be a 4 week program at Universite Catholique de l’Ouest in Angers, France. Students will also take a French language immersion class, for any level, offered by Universite Catholique de l’Ouest. Students may receive 4 credits for this class.

It is not necessary to read music or have any formal music education prior to instruction as this course is intended as a cultural survey course. There will be a 4 day class schedule with a two hour class each day and field trips to jazz clubs and concerts. Students will receive 4 credits on completion.

COURSE OBJECTIVES The student is expected to become moderately literate about jazz in French culture and cultural relations with the United States. Through lectures, CD reviews, exams and a paper, students will cultivate analytical listening and writing with discerning expressivity.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY Class meetings will be spent in explanation and discussion of historical audio recordings and videos on Youtube. 6 audio recording reviews, 2 each week, and one live music review at the course’s conclusion will develop critical analytical listening skills. Students will be evaluated by the weekly audio recording and a review of the concerts to be heard in due two weeks after the course’s conclusion.

ANGERS History of Jazz in France (Lee VF) Summer 2014 10/13

METHOD OF EVALUATION (GRADING) Grades will be based on:  33% - 6 CD reviews: 2 each week, and one live music review  33% - Midterm exam  33% - Final paper on an artist discussed in class of the student’s choosing to be turned in 2 weeks after the end of classes

Students will be asked to identify music by over 20 jazz artists chosen from a required listening list on the exams as well as provide short answers to exam questions. There will be field trips to observe jazz in the wild, locations to be announced.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1 Course overview and explanation of CD reviews and the mandatory listening list. African American culture and jazz in America, where it all started: blues and gospel and those styles relation to European music. The roots of jazz in New Orleans, Louisiana. James Reese Europe and his U.S. Army Band in World War I. Jazz in French culture and it’s influence on Ravel, Picasso and Henry Miller. New Orleans jazz, the phonograph and radio; Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet in Paris. The Paris scene after World War I. Videos and recordings. 2 CD reviews due.

Week 2 Josephine Baker - American entertainment star and French war hero: Baker’s incredible career story. , and Stefan Grapelli swing onto the scene. Django Reinhardt’s guitar legacy. Le Jazz Hot in Paris. Andre Hodier and Charles Delaunay. Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and Ravel in NYC. Videos and recordings. 2 CD reviews due. Mid-term exam. Field trip.

Week 3 arrives: Charlie Parker, tour France and and move there. in France with actress Juliette Greco. The Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland French Radio . in France. Michel Legrand and jazz opera - The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. , Daniel Humaire and Michel Petrucianni. Claude Nugarot and his big band. 2 CD reviews due.

Week 4 The next generation of French jazz music. Deedee Bridgewater jazz diva in Paris. Steve Lacy, John Betsch and avante garde jazz in Paris. World music and the African influence on French jazz. Malian singers Salif Keita and Oumou Sangare. Bireli Lagrene and the tradition. Contemporary French jazz camps and festivals. Pianists Jackie Terrasson and Jean Michel Pilc. Field trip to Paris nightclubs. Live music review due. Final 6 page paper due 2 weeks after completion of class.

COURSE READINGS The History of Jazz by Ted Gioia

ANGERS History of Jazz in France (Lee VF) Summer 2014 10/13

BIBLIOGRAPHY Jazz away from Home by Chris Goddard Making Jazz French: Music and Modern Life in Interwar Paris by Jeffrey Jackson Treat it Gentle by Sidney Bechet Eugene Bullard, Black Expatriate in Paris by Craig Lloyd Django, The Life and Music of a Gypsy Legend by Michael Dregni

ANGERS History of Jazz in France (Lee VF) Summer 2014 10/13