Student Projects


1			Through the years Jazz has served a variety of functions for its fans: a wild expression of the exuberant mood of the “roaring” 20s, a happy swinging distraction from the gloom of the great depression in the 1930s, and an aggressive explosion of individual creativity in the be-bop Era of the late 40s and 50s. What specific purpose does the music you listen to serve for society today? Does Rock, Country and Rap music have a similar history of changing purpose? List each change you can think of and list an example of each.




2			Miles Davis has been on the forefront of virtually every major Jazz innovation short of the development of Dixieland. Be-bop, Cool Jazz, Modal Jazz, Fusion, Modern Jazz, and even the synthesized Pop/dance music of the MTV 1980s show the influence of Miles. Name other musicians who have been responsible for causing significant changes to the style of music they play. What are the specific changes they caused to occur? How many of those changes are still around today? Have any of these people caused more than one drastic style change?




3			Smooth Jazz is less intense and easy listening music. Other terms like “Middle of the Road” have been used to describe this wide appeal approach. What is the “Smooth Rock” of today? What about the “Smooth Rap” and the “Smooth Country”? Do they exist?