The Jazz Age, 1902-1932

About this course:

Launching during an era of radical change and dynamic upheaval, Jazz became America’s most original art form. Drawing from rich American roots, it developed from the blues, spirituals, hymns, marches, ragtime, and dance music, triggering rapid innovations in rhythm, harmony, melody, timbre, and improvisation. In this course, we explore the key developments and earliest stars of jazz and classic blues, the emergence of jazz saxophone, the creation of jazz forms, and the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on musical theater, the visual arts, and literature. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.