Jazz Education: The Evolution of Jazz Mentorship

History of Jazz Education and Mentorship

Jazz, much like the blues, first became a distinct musical genre in the beginning of the 20th century, in the southern U.S. Throughout history, jazz education has come in many forms, from apprenticeship with experiences musicians to institutional learning in high schools, universities and camps. Because of its loose structure and improvisational features, learning jazz was typically an independent endeavor for budding musicians. Listening to the music of others formed the basis for learning. Playing in groups with other jazz musicians was fundamental to the improvement of jazz musicians. Apprenticeship and learning from experienced artists is perhaps the most important factor in the development of a talented jazz musician.  In modern times, institutional learning sets the foundation for most jazz education.

Historically, those who perform jazz professionally have used their talents to educate the younger generation and pass on their skills and expertise.  Behind every great jazz musician lies a mentor whose knowledge and passion for music instilled a sense of wonder on their students.  Going back to the 1920s, Louis Armstrong could not have become the famed man he was were it not for his focused efforts to learn from his own mentors like Joe "King" Oliver.  As musicians learned from each other, each contributed his or her own style and take on the traditional form, allowing jazz to adapt and change throughout the decades.  Therefore, one's upbringing, the people they associated with, and their early experiences in life, have and continue to be important factors in the process of jazz education.

Today Jazz education has become more formalized and institutionalized in Universities, high schools, and camps.  While one-on-one education is still available, it is not as common as in the past.  This has dramatic effects on the ways that one learns to play jazz music.  Demographic differences in the makeup of colleges and universities can have an effect on the types of people who are exposed to this form of music.  Therefore, one of the greatest change to the process of jazz education has been the institutionalization of the practice in universities.  Formalized jazz education provides the opportunity for students to learn about the genre in a controlled setting.  The free flowing and improvisational nature of jazz music is difficult to come by in an institutional setting.

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Table of Contents
1. Evolution of Jazz Mentorship
2. Introduction
3. History of Jazz Education and Mentorship
4. Buster Williams
5. Germaine Bazzle
6. Bob Schulz
7. Allan Vache
8. Claude Williams
9. Race in Jazz Education and DH
10. Modern Mentorship
11. Our Other DH Method
12. Conclusion
13. Additional Works Cited ​
14. Annotated Bibliography
15. Process
16. Rubric
 

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