Politics of Black Popular Culture (327-0-20)
Topic
New Black Music in Chicago: Artists’ Reflections o
Instructors
Nitasha Tamar Sharma
847/467-6589
Crowe Hall 1-127
Meeting Info
Wirtz 101 Performnce Black Box: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
This newly developed class offers students a hands-on experience learning from and working with a renowned group of jazz musicians who reflect the vibrant contributions of the city of Chicago to recent jazz music. In addition to in-person and zoom weekly visits by jazz musicians, artist and tour managers, record label owners, and jazz journalists and authors, students will experience workshops led by these artists. The class will culminate in a panel and free and open to the public concert featuring these artists that students will help host at the Galvin Recital Hall (capacity 400). This one-of-a-kind opportunity will give Northwestern students direct exposure to artists working at the highest level of artistry. We will learn how they develop their craft, navigate decisions about forming their businesses, and learn about the infrastructure of touring musicians from managers, agents, label owners, and the artists. Additionally, music journalists and authors will provide the historical context of this city's impact on the development of jazz, locating recent developments within the city's dynamic culture. The class includes readings and a discography selected by the artists and other invited speakers, whose selections may feature interviews, historical essays, websites, or listening to albums. Overall, students and invited speakers will be asked about the role Chicago plays in the development of their music and as home to some of the move innovative jazz artists for decades.
Class assignments will include: being responsible for hosting and asking questions of our guest artists, providing written reflections on the reading materials, and their final project will include their work on helping to develop, host, and run the final artist panel and jazz show (March 4).
*Students must be available for the Leon Forrest panel and concert on March 4, 2024.
Learning Objectives
Students will learn the music history of Chicago with a focus on jazz
Students will engage and host guest artists, authors, managers, and agents for zoom and in-person visits over the course of the quarter. They will moderate Q&A sessions and help set up artists for their workshops.
Students will learn about the racial and gender dynamics of a contemporary Black music genre.
Students will become familiarized with the various forms of publicity, management, and overall entrepreneurship that current tourist musicians navigate
Students will learn to curate, host, and MC a large jazz concert for a public audience
Class Materials (Required)
Course readings will all be available online
Class Notes
Attending the first class is mandatory. I will drop those who cannot attend day 1. In addition, all students must be available for the March 4, 2024 panel and show, to be held on campus.
Class Attributes
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Interdisciplinary Distro-rules apply
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area