Jazz in Britain followed an irregular course from our first encounter with it after WW1 to British musicians' assimilation of 'the new music' in the 1960s. Why did it take almost fifty years for home-grown performers to make their mark? What were the characteristics of British Jazz that eventually made it distinctive? What subsequent influences shaped its later development? This course focuses on the forms of Jazz usually considered 'progressive'. 'Mouldy fygges' will be warmly welcomed if they sign up, but we shall not have much to say about 'Trad'!
Course aim
Two lectures, with musical interludes, that trace the history of Jazz in Britain from its first live performances in 1919 to its flowering in the latter part of the twentieth century. A selection of musicians and groups will illustrate the story.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This is a live lecture delivered by a subject specialist in an online webinar video learning platform. You will need to be able to access the internet on a device with speakers or earphones. There will be opportunities to take part in discussions and chats. If you’d like to know how to use Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
- Students need a level 2 qualification in English to join this course
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Describe the first contact of British audiences with Jazz from the United States.
- State the names of three or four early pioneers of Jazz in Britain.
- Explain what factors retarded the progress of British musicians in their assimilation of Jazz up to the mid-1950s.
- Identify two or three characteristics of British Jazz that contributed to its own authenticity from the 1960s.
- Describe more than one of the 'movements' in British Jazz that have evolved in the second half of the twentieth century.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will have opportunities to comment on the content of the lectures and/or seek clarification of points raised. The Tutor will urge you to participate actively in discussions. Some background reading will be provided on Canvas and the Tutor expects you to consider this after the sessions.
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will be able to keep a digital portfolio of your work on WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas.
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You are encouraged to have a pen or pencil and a notebook to hand during the lectures.
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- You will have access to course resources and links to wider learning through the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
- Become involved as a volunteer for a WEA partner or another organisation
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
Download full course information sheet
