Jazz 101
With Tom Morgan
The St. Tammany Parish Library, Causeway branch, presents a series of classes called Jazz 101 with Tom Morgan. Mr. Morgan is a New Orleans based jazz historian and radio producer. His next book "Historic Photos of New Orleans Jazz," published by Turner Publishing, will be in bookstores in November 2009. His first book, "From Cakewalks to Concert Halls: An Illustrated History of African American Popular Music: From 1895 to 1930," published by Elliott and Clark, was awarded second place in the Ralph Gleason Music Book Awards for the best music books published in 1992.
Mr. Morgan hosts Jazz Roots (http://jass.com), the premier web site for early jazz and the history of black music at the beginning of the Twentieth Century and "Today in Louisiana Music History" (http://louisianabirthdays.com) which celebrates the musicians of Louisiana. For almost twenty years, he produced and hosted two radio shows for WTJU-FM in Charlottesville, Virginia. In late 1999, he joined WWOZ-FM in New Orleans, hosting the Tuesday New Orleans Music Show and the Wednesday Jazz Roots Show, as well as being one of the main hosts for WWOZ's live broadcasts from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Mr. Morgan is exceptionally qualified to teach jazz novices as well as seasoned listeners about jazz appreciation and understanding. The Jazz 101 course outline follows:
Class I 1920-1940
Class II 1940-1960
Class III 1960-1980
Class IV 1980-2009
Each of the four classes will highlight a different Jazz period (listed above), but will follow the following format:
1. Overview of Jazz during the period covered (In the first three classes we will include a segment called, “What is Louis Armstrong doing?”)
2. Notable vocalists during the period
3. Notable Jazz musicians performing and/or composing during the period
4. Questions and listening sessions
This series of classes will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 11:45 a.m. on four consecutive Saturday mornings starting on March 6, 2010 through March 27, 2010 at the Causeway branch library.
The event is free and open to the public, and registration is required. Class space is limited to 45 adults. Please stop by the Causeway Branch, 3457 Highway 190, or call 985-626-9779 to register. Visit our website www.sttammany.lib.la.us for more information on library sponsored adult programs.