The end-of-term written assignment (600 – 800 words, typewritten) will be an examination of a selected recording, focusing on the performance of one of the jazz performers. Your paper will address the broad jazz style exhibited by the selected recording, as well as its specific stylistic
characteristics, while focusing on the performance and stylistic elements of your selected performer. Each student will select a recording and a performer in the selected recording as the subject of his or her paper. An extensive list will be provided from which to select a performer, as will guidelines for selecting a recorded performance. The list, guidelines, and a more detailed description of the assignment will be provided two-thirds the way through the semester.
The following list of recordings constitutes those works that you are expected to be able to recognize aurally and identify by Title and Principal Artist:
Cross Road Blues Robert Johnson
Lost Your Head Blues Bessie Smith
The Entertainer Scott Joplin
Body and Soul Billie Holiday