[Dixielandjazz] 11th Grade Jazz History

[David Story]

Nice site. I will be directing some of my jazz students to it. But, some of 
the content is questionable from my point of view.

Tieing in jazz with American Democracy?

"There is no better example of democracy than a jazz ensemble: individual 
freedom but with responsibility to the group. In other words, individual 
musicians have the freedom to express themselves on their instrument as long 
as they maintain their responsibility to the other musicians by adhering to 
the overall framework and structure of the tune."

Later on the curriculum puts forward the following assertions.   "Listen to 
any recording by Miles Davis1. Can you "hear" democracy at work?"

(The idea of co-opting the arts in the service of politics is always 
dangerous grounds to me, given the history of the late 20th century.)

"E. Imagine: "just imagine how it would be if our society worked like a jazz 
group...:

(Sun ra's group?
Duke's?
ODJB?
Wynton Marsalis's
Mingus'
Parker's)

Whom should we nominate?

pondering the improbable from Canada,

David Story, B.M., R.M.T.
Piano Teacher