David Betz Academia and Jazz have a rather complicated relationship. On one hand, Jazz benefits from the training academia provides to musicians, but on the other academia has also stifled its growth as an artform due to its formulaic structure and its focus being on mass education over individual growth. Jazz has traditionally been learned… Continue reading Education and Jazz
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Signifyin’ Armstrong
David Betz In the testimony of Louis Armstrong, the concept of Signifyin’ is clearly visible across his writings and recordings. The concepts of Signifyin’ that Armstrong uses in his own music and performances applies to jazz music as a whole. The Signifyin’ of Armstrong can be used to understand Signifyin’s role in jazz music as… Continue reading Signifyin’ Armstrong
White Perception of Early Jazz
White Perception of Early Jazz David Betz Throughout reading articles from Amiri Baraka, Bessie Jones, Samuel Floyd, Jelly Roll Morten and others, the interaction between racial groups in the context of jazz has been a critical area of focus. The African-American slaves that cultivated and created this style of music, and the White’s that came… Continue reading White Perception of Early Jazz
