Category: Jazz History
The Man Who Gave Jazz Its Month: Dr. John Edward Hasse and the Story Behind Jazz Appreciation Month
Every April, jazz clubs, schools, libraries, and cultural organizations across the country, and around the world, dedicate the month to celebrating jazz. Concerts are programmed. Posters go up. Students get introduced to the music for the first time. Here at JazzArts Charlotte, it’s one of our favorite times of the year. But Jazz Appreciation Month didn’t just happen. One person made it happen. And the story of how, and why, is worth knowing.
Jelly Roll Morton’s “Spanish Tinge” Cuban Rhythms & Jazz Roots
American jazz has always been a dialogue—between Africa and the Americas, New Orleans and Havana, composition and clave. Hispanic Heritage Month is a perfect time to spotlight how Cuban music helped shape the sound we teach and celebrate today.
A Different Rhythm – JazzArts Charlotte in Cuba
Everywhere we turned from planned venues to restaurants for dinner, we encountered stellar musicianship and warm smiles to go with it, generously offered alongside fresh mojitos. One leaves Cuba humbled by the artistry assiduously cultivated in their culture at large in comparison with our own, making me appreciate JazzArts’ commitment to student education all the more.
The History of Jazz Vibes
The vibraphone, or “vibes” as it is commonly referred to, first appeared in the early 20th century. It was initially used in vaudeville music but found its way into jazz around the 1930s, adding a new textural layer to the jazz soundscape.
Why Study Jazz? Adaptibility and Social Awareness
Reflecting on some of the life skills honed studying jazz: adaptability and social awareness.