Description
Book SynopsisThe world''s fascination with New Orleans stems from the allure of the music of the city_music that owes its origins and development to many sources. Until now, popular and scholarly books, dissertations, and articles that attempt to explain these sources have failed to recognize the unsung heroes of the New Orleans jazz scene: the teachers in its public schools. Through more than 90 original interviews and extensive research in New Orleans'' historical collections, Dr. Kennedy documents ways that public school teachers pushed an often unwilling urban institution to become an important structure that transmitted jazz and the other musical traditions of the city to future musicians. Music legends from Louis Armstrong to Ellis Marsalis Jr._who also provides the foreword_are just two of the many well-known former students of the New Orleans public schools. Chord Changes on the Chalkboard shows that, particularly after the 1920s, public school students benefited not only from the study of
Trade ReviewWorth reading for anyone who has an interest in the New Orleans school system or has an interest in New Orleans musicians of every persuasion and from every period. * New Orleans Music *
… a fascinating read….worth reading for anyone who has an interest in the New Orleans schools system or has an interest in New Orleans musicians of every persuasion and from every period. * Jazzwise *
Kennedy's survey is charming, scholarly, and affectionate, written with lucid grace…it deserves as populous a readership as possible. * Jazz Journal International *
An insightful glimpse into jazz education in the Crescent City over the years. * Just Jazz *
A carefully researched history of music education in New Orleans Public Schools. * Best Of New Orleans.Com *
In Chord Changes, the reader is introduced to many...notable educators, from... Arthur P. Williams, the principal of Abijah Fisk School to (William Joseph Nickerson (who gave piano lessons to Jelly Roll Morton and Manuel Manetta), to Professor Valmore Victor (whose students included "Sing" Miller, Ellis Marsalis and Earl Turbinton) and Clyde Kerr, Sr., who 'supposedly' charged a dollar for a one-hour private music lesson. -- Bunny Matthews * Dis 'N' Dat *
This is a paperbound reprint of a 2002 book. Kennedy (history, Dillard U. and U. of New Orleans) examines the influence of New Orleans public school teachers in promoting the study of jazz. Drawing on 80 interviews with these musician-teachers as well as historical records, he traces their contributions from the early 20th century to the present, and profiles Clyde Kerr Sr. and Yvonne Busch. He describes the important role of public school administrators, the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, and interactions students had with musicians such as Wynton Marsalis. Appendices chart the musical influences of Kerr, Busch, Bert Braud, Clyde Kerr Jr., and Ellis Marsalis Jr., who wrote the foreword. * Reference and Research Book News *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Chapter 3 Introduction Chapter 4 Chapter 1. From Teachers to Jazz Mentors: On the Periphery of New Music Chapter 5 Chapter 2. Clyde Kerr Sr.: From Student to Jazz Mentor Chapter 6 Chapter 3. Yvonne Busch: Shaping New Orleans Music Chapter 7 Chapter 4. The New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts: From Jazz Mentors to a Jazz Institution Chapter 8 Chapter 5. The Community Comes into the School: Celebrating the Music Traditions of New Orleans within a Classroom Chapter 9 Chapter 6. Conclusion: The Current Renaissance is No Accident Chapter 10 Appendix 1. Clyde Kerr Sr.: A Link in the Public School Musical Network Chapter 11 Appendix 2. Musical Influences: Yvonne Busch Chapter 12 Appendix 3. Musical Influences: Dr. Bert Braud Chapter 13 Appendix 4. Musical Influences: Ellis Marsalis Jr. Chapter 14 Appendix 5: Musical Influences: Clyde Kerr Jr. Chapter 15 Sources and Bibliography Chapter 16 Index Chapter 17 About the Author
