Jazz and the Blues have occupied a significant place in the cultural history of the Americas for over a century. This dual music genre is universally recognized as an important contribution, from an enslaved people no less, to the cultural inventory of the planet, and is acknowledged for its distinctive impact on other music genres and art forms worldwide. This course surveys the multifarious histories of this genre from c.1619 up to c.2005. It exposes students to the geography of Jazz/Blues, its structure and nature, the cultural and political influences that have helped to shape its evolution, its fusion with other art forms and styles of music inside and outside of the Caribbean, the role of gender and religion in its formation, and its modern manifestations. The course thus introduces students to an important aspect of the cultural history of the Americas, enables them to appreciate the genius of an exploited demographic, and sensitizes them to better understand the musical contours of the present global age.
- Lecturer: Merna Hague - Bradshaw