Listening Response Sheet Rex Gregory talks “Far East Suite” [LISTEN]

1. How does Rex think that listening in our current “click culture” differs from the deep listening required by this album? Why did he pick this album?

2. What inspired this creation of this album? When did this occur?

3. The music of which countries influenced this album?

4. According to Rex, how does the contrast between dissonance and consonance tell the story in the “Tourist Point of View?” Do you agree? Why or why not? (start at 10:53) [NCAS MU: Re7.2.E.Ia]

5. What was Duke Ellington’s inspiration for “The Blue Bird of Delhi?” How do you think his choice of instrument for the melody helped to tell this story? Can you sing it? (start at 12:22) [NCAS MU: Re7.2.E.Ia]

6. What musical element helped to create a sense of “familiarity” in the song “Isfahan?” (start at 18:00) [NCAS MU: Re7.2.E.Ia]

7. What technique does Rex call an “integral part of jazz music” in the song “Depk?” He also mentions that there is a repeated line in the piano that “stitches” the piece together. Can you hear it? Hum/sing it? (start at 25:46) [NCAS MU: Re7.2.E.Ia]

8. Rex says that Duke Ellington’s “jungle style” is present in this piece. What do you think this refers to? Look it up if you have to. He also points out the piano comping behind the solos. What effect do you think this gives to the music? Can you describe it using another term that Rex has referred to in a previous song? (start at 32:00) [NCAS MU: Re7.2.E.Ia]

9. What other musical style was incorporated into the song “Blue Pepper: Far East of the Blues?” What was the reason for this? What musical element did Duke Ellington used to create an “overwhelming sense of the exotic?” (start at 43:08) [NCAS MU: Re8.1.E.Ia]

10. Rex describes the song “Agra” as being dark. What musical elements do you think create this feeling? Please describe at least one specific moment using terms such as timbre, tonality, texture, etc. (start at 49:52) [NCAS MU: Re7.2.E.Ia]

Seattle JazzED Guided Listening Series | seattlejazzed.org/online-guided-listening

11. There is a repetitive “root” played throughout the song “Amad.” What effect do you think this has in the music? Is there a musical term that you can use to describe this? What emotion does it make you feel? (start at 55:20) [MU: Re8.1.E.Ia]

12. Rex mentions the musical device of reprise being used in “Ad Lib on Nippon.” What is a musical reprise? Do you think this is a fitting description of this piece? Why or why not? (start at 1:02:03) [NCAS MU: Re8.1.E.Ia]

Seattle JazzED Guided Listening Series | seattlejazzed.org/online-guided-listening