Scribd
Upload
566 views3 pages

Jazz: A History of America's Music

This document provides guidance and questions for viewing episodes 1 and 2 of the Ken Burns documentary "Jazz". It directs the viewer to watch the intro to episode 1, then provides 13 questions about improvisation, the origins and early development of jazz in New Orleans, and the early life of Louis Armstrong. The questions probe how cultural diversity in New Orleans led to the creation of jazz, the significance of ragtime and blues, and the rejection of jazz by some.

Uploaded by

dada trapa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
566 views3 pages

Jazz: A History of America's Music

This document provides guidance and questions for viewing episodes 1 and 2 of the Ken Burns documentary "Jazz". It directs the viewer to watch the intro to episode 1, then provides 13 questions about improvisation, the origins and early development of jazz in New Orleans, and the early life of Louis Armstrong. The questions probe how cultural diversity in New Orleans led to the creation of jazz, the significance of ragtime and blues, and the rejection of jazz by some.

Uploaded by

dada trapa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Jazz: A History of America's Music - Video Guide: Presents a series of guided questions about the history and development of jazz, encouraging students to explore themes of cultural influence and musical innovation.

Jazz: A History of America’s Music Name______________________

Episode 1: “Gumbo” Video Guide Date_______________________


Episode 2: “The Gift”

Directions: Please read this guide in its entirety. Enjoy the 8-minute intro to Episode 1 of Ken Burns’
documentary then proceed to answer the following questions based on Episodes 1 and 2 of Jazz.

1. What is improvisation?

2. How did the diverse population of New Orleans help to create jazz? Note the contributions of each
group:
African slaves

Slaves from the West Indies

Slaves from the interior South

Free people of color / Creoles

3. Describe New Orleans’ “mania for horns.”

4. What was minstrel music? What national impact did it have?

5. How did the Civil War and Reconstruction impact New Orleans?

6. In the 1890s two new styles of music came to New Orleans. Describe and state the significance of
ragtime and the blues.

7. How did the collapse of Reconstruction impact New Orleans and its music?
THE BIG NOISE
8. Who was Buddy Bolden? Why is he considered a jazz pioneer?

9. Describe the background and jazz contributions of Jelly Roll Morton. Did he invent jazz?

10. Why was Sidney Bechet considered a genius? What were his contributions to jazz?

THE SOUL OF THE NEGRO


11. What were the reasons some Americans rejected and criticized jazz? Why did young Americans love
jazz? Who made jazz more respectable?

THE “CREATORS” OF JAZZ


12. How did Freddie Keppard’s refusal to record jazz lead to racial controversy about the origins of jazz?

THE GIFT (00:00- 22:40 of Episode 2)


13. Note the impact of each of the following on the early life of Louis Armstrong in New Orleans.
The Karnofsky Family

The Colored Waif’s Home

Joe “King” Oliver

Steamboats
Discussion Questions:
• Does New Orleans have a legitimate claim as the birthplace of jazz? Explain.

• How did the cultural diversity of New Orleans create a new American music?

• Why do jazz musicians equate improvisation with freedom?

• Does the rejection of jazz by the white and black middle class remind you of culture clashes today?

• What does the early life of Louis Armstrong inform us about our humanity?

• Why is music essential to our lives?

Created by Marcie Hutchinson, Director of K-12 Initiatives for Arizona State University’s School of Historical, Philosophical and
Religious Studies, for Jazz from A to Z’s Educator Workshops on January 25th and 26th, 2017

You might also like