Jazz & Java with Instructor Dick Lowenthal

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Arts Garage

Jazz & Java

OPTION TO BUY SESSION 1 & 2 BUNDLE AVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER 4TH

Session 1: Early Jazz and Swing

October 4th – November 8th

Monday’s 10am – 11:30am

The origins of Jazz, including blues, work songs, and gospel. Using the city of New Orleans as a starting point, the class will listen to and discuss the music of Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton and many others, and the sociological implications associated with the music. From there, we’ll study the changes of Jazz in Chicago and New York City and how the music evolved into Swing. The artists will include Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie, Harry James, Gene Krupa, and Glenn Miller, and various vocalists who started in the Swing Era. The classes will also include listening to recordings, recommended readings, films, and attendance at live concerts.

Session 2: Jazz and The Movies

November 15th – December 20th

Monday’s 10am – 11:30am

Jazz and the Movies are a natural combination. The two 20th century art forms started side by side. With the passing of so many Jazz greats over the past 50 years, one can only experience the music and presence on recordings and films. We will explore three basic types of films that utilized Jazz: full-length Hollywood movies; all-Black movies made specifically for Black audiences; and special music shorts. It will range from Duke Ellington’s “Black and Tan” (1929) and “Stormy Weather” (1943) through Swing Era bios such as “The Benny Goodman Story” (1955) and “The Glenn Miller Story” (1953); and films with contemporary subjects as “The Connection” (1961), “’Round Midnight” (1986), and “Whiplash” (2014). The classes will include recommended home listening (some films will have minimal rental fees), several in-class recordings and film shorts, and discussions.

Instructor Bio:

Richard Lowenthal is a noted jazz historian, performer, band leader and educator for the past 50 years. He founded and chaired the Jazz Program at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York City and conducted the award-winning Jazz Orchestra. In addition, Dick retired as a Professor Emeritus from New Jersey City University, having started their Jazz Program and conducting their award-winning Jazz Ensemble. He has taught Jazz History to students ranging from elementary school through college and adult education classes, using his experience as a performer and his extensive record, cd, and book collection to enhance his classes. As an active musician he has performed and conducted with such artists as: Clark Terry, Bill Watrous, Phil Woods, Jon Faddis, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, and Wynton Marsalis. He has conducted the Special Unit of the Glenn Miller Orchestra for over 12 years. His own band performs tributes to Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Gil Evans, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, and Buddy Rich.

He says: “I love sharing my love of Jazz music from the 1920’s through the present and to people of all ages.” He has taught several successful classes at the Arts Garage, is in demand for lectures throughout Florida, and is an Arts Garage Board member.

Session 1: Early Jazz and Swing – 6 weeks $120

Session 2: Jazz and The Movies – 6 weeks $120

Session 1 & 2- 12 weeks $215

OPTION TO BUY SESSION 1 & 2 BUNDLE AVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER 4TH