Traditional Jazz: A Historical Perspective of Early Jazz from the New Orleans and Chicago Era

Jazz is a music best enjoyed in live performance. The audience is encouraged to applaud and and clap rhythmically during performances. In this way, much like dancing, participants feel the music in a very subjective manner. It invades their consciousness and envelopes their soul. It has always been one of the very special elements of Jazz and any understanding of it must come through experiencing the phenomenon. With that connection, the result is pure joy. The presentation seeks to develop this connection with audience members and help them understand the special nature of Jazz.

About our presenter, John Cooper:

Dr. John Cooper is currently faculty Emeritus from Western Illinois University, having spent nearly 30 years teaching jazz at the University level. As Director of Jazz Studies, Cooper has presented more than 300 performances, many featuring guest artists, to enrich the cultural mission of the University and spread the love of jazz to his community. He has taught ensembles, composition, applied jazz, jazz history, and jazz pedagogy.

Cooper has a unique gift for enabling musicians and non-musicians alike to understand the intricacies of jazz, helping them to build pathways for understanding and an intrinsic value for jazz music.