Jazz: Yesterday and Today – Spring 2025 Videos
Coordinators: Debbi Honorof, Wayne Cotter
Jazz: Yesterday and Today is a music history and listening course that explores the lives and work of jazz artists throughout the world.
To view a video click on the link above its description.
JAZZ: YESTERDAY AND TODAY
Miles Davis
Presenter: Mary Ann Donnelly
Presentation Date: February 27, 2025
Trumpeter, bandleader, and composer, Miles was one of the most influential, innovative and respected figures in the history of jazz in the 20th century. The players who took the stage with Miles are a who’s who of jazz history. He was at the forefront of jazz’s major stylistic developments. During his career, he moved in a variety of directions including bop, cool jazz, modal jazz, free jazz and fusion. In the words of Miles Davis “If anyone wants to keep creating, they have to be about change.”
JAZZ: YESTERDAY AND TODAY
Erroll Garner
Presenter: Bob Reiss
Presentation Date: March 13, 2025
Erroll Garner was a jazz pianist and composer known for his swing playing and ballads. The instrumental ballad “Misty,” his best-known composition, has become a jazz standard. He has been dubbed “one of the most distinctive of all pianists” and a “brilliant virtuoso.” We will trace his career by showing some celebrated performances and listening to some of his famous recordings.
JAZZ: YESTERDAY AND TODAY
Jazz Dance II: From the Swing Era to Hip Hop
Presenter: Ze’eva Cohen
Presentation Date: May 1, 2025
From the lively social dances of the Swing Era — celebrated with the big band jazz music of the early 1940s — to contemporary professional performances and hip-hop, we will examine jazz dance samples that reflect cultural shifts in the USA. We will delve into works from Broadway, film, concert dance, and social and street dancing, highlighting contributions from iconic dance artists such as Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, and Gregory Hines. We’ll also explore the new hybrid movement language evident in today’s theater dance performances, which showcases the rich diversity of urban cultures and transcends the traditional boundaries between “high” and “low” art.
JAZZ: YESTERDAY AND TODAY
Jazz Vocal Standards: The Gershwin Songbook
Presenter: Debbi Honorof
Presentation Date: May 15, 2025
The timeless compositions of George and Ira Gershwin hold a cherished place in the Great American Songbook and have left an indelible mark on the world of jazz. Their music has been lovingly reinterpreted by vocal jazz legends across generations, breathing new life into each melody and lyric. Join us as we immerse ourselves in the enchanting world of Gershwin standards, as performed by some of the most iconic jazz vocalists of all time. Experience the enduring charm and brilliance of these masterpieces, which continue to captivate and inspire audiences around the globe.
JAZZ: YESTERDAY AND TODAY
Stan Getz, Jazz Tenor Saxophonist
Presenter: Sol Makon
Presentation Date: November 18, 2020
We will follow Stan Getz’s musical achievements, from his youth until his final concert performance. For most of the talk, We will present a selection of recordings or taped stage performances, with Getz partnered by jazz musicians, including John Coltrane, Chet Baker, Joao Gilberto, and Kenny Barron, among others. Stan Getz stated “There are four qualities essential to a great jazzman: they are taste, courage, individuality, and irreverence.” Getz had those attributes in abundance.