The 2022 UNC Jazz Summer Workshop ran has run its course. Beginning Monday morning at 8:30, hundreds of students flocked to the Kenan Music Building to begin their week-long journey navigating what this summer’s workshop has to offer.
Upon completion and in regard to my own personal experience as a non-musician, I now feel better acquainted with not only Jazz as a musical genre but as a language as well. Below you will find my top 4 takeaways from this past week…
1. Jazz is a combination of African and European music.
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of interviewing Associate Professor of Music at NCCU Baron Tymas. Baron explained to me his love for jazz comes from the combination of traditions behind African and European music, and the blending of their roots. More specifically, jazz usual the rhythmic components of African music as an influence, and the harmonic components of traditional European music. I learned that the blending of the two is what created what is now seen as the American art form of jazz.
2. Jazz has to swing.
Each morning, my fellow classmates and I sat down with Dan Davis for our Jazz History course. One thing that Prof. Davis stressed was the two core elements that make jazz music jazz. Those being the practice of improvisation and more importantly the swing, or as Prof. Davis also described it, the lilt rhythmic components to the music. Through hearing the different sub-genres associated with each era of jazz history, you could hear the presence and importance these two components played in defining the music.
3. Jazz is a complex music genre.
Prior to coming to this summer’s workshop, I was aware jazz was an advanced art form but didn’t realize exactly how advanced. Each night, concerts were held free to the public. Through these concerts and hearing the music live and up close, I was exposed to the deep complexity behind Jazz. Acts such as the Caribbean Connections Band and Kate McGarry opened up my eyes to the time and dedication needed in order to master this art form.
4. The best way to receive your EE credit.
Throughout the week, I repeatedly heard faculty quoting “I don’t understand why more students don’t take advantage of our course.” Upon hearing this, I couldn’t agree more. In just five days, I was able to receive not only three credit hours toward graduation but also my Experiential Education requirement, which is a requirement for all UNC undergraduate students. For any students looking to fulfill this component needed to graduate, I strongly recommend enrolling in next year’s Summer Jazz Workshop.