Indiana Jazz Masters in the Schools
Traditionally, jazz history books trace the inception of the art form jazz from the New Orleans melting pot around the turn of the 20th Century to King Oliver’s arrival in Chicago in 1922 with second trumpeter Louis Armstrong to its final destination New York during the Swing Era. Of course, innovation rarely follows such a linear path and during those early decades many regional jazz scenes developed and were most active and integral in shaping the direction and content of the new musical style. In fact, King Oliver frequently traveled with his group to Richmond, Indiana to record at the Gennett Studios, one of the first jazz record labels. Others, such as Jelly Roll Morton, Bix Beiderbecke, Hoagy Carmichael, Tommy Dorsey, were regulars at Gennett Studios. Indiana, the crossroads of America, not only became a central destination for recording sessions, but a frequent stop for all touring bands as they traveled across the country. As a result, Indianapolis’ club scene flourished especially around central Indiana Avenue featuring 33 clubs around the Walker Theatre during the height of the Jazz Age. Such fertile environment produced a host of influential and world-renowned jazz performers, composers, bandleaders, and educators, who shaped the history of jazz and the future of popular music.
On this site, you’ll find lesson plans and teaching standards, resource materials, presentations by and for visiting artists, video footage from the original Jazz Legacy of Indiana project, and much more to be added and revised continuously. The goal is to provide materials for Elementary School teachers and teaching artists to incorporate lessons on the elements of jazz and jazz history in the curriculum. Of course, different states and regions have their own special legacy and all these materials may be adapted to local histories.
Jazz is the ultimate expression of democracy and the American melting pot. Teachers and artists alike have the opportunity to bring the history of jazz to our children and facilitate the continued evolution and support of this special art form. As research has documented, the formative Elementary school years are most crucial in forming preferences and interests for a lifetime and every child should have the opportunity to experience art in all its forms in order to develop their preferences and talents. My hope is that these materials will be helpful starting points for teachers and artists anywhere to create meaningful teaching units and that many more sites will evolve focusing on unique regional jazz heroes and histories!
Jazz Legacy of Indiana Project Week, 2011
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| Hoagy Carmichael (video) |
Cole Porter | May Aufderheide (video) |
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| David Baker (video) |
J.J. Johnson | Wes Montgomery (video) |