CONCERT REVIEW:

DUE: November 26th 2006, Sunday, 9pm

-- During the term, you are required to attend a live jazz performance at a club,
concert hall or any other venue and write a review about this performance.
-- It is strongly recommended that you get prior approval of the performance you
are writing about from the instructor, in order to make sure that it meets the
guidelines of this assignment.
-- If you live in an area where it is impossible for you to locate and attend a live
performance, a recorded jazz performance (preferably a video or DVD
performance where you can observe the performers) may be substituted for a
live review. In these cases, you MUST get a prior approval of your selection of
the recorded performance.
-- My advise would be for you to attend the performance you are writing about
after the first few weeks of the class so that you can put what you are hearing in
context and are in a position to compare it to different styles that are covered in
lectures.

YOUR REVIEW SHOULD INCLUDE:

-- Date of performance
-- Name of the venue
-- Name of the Group/Performer
-- Instruments used in the performance
-- Length of the performance and the number of pieces played. Name of the
compositions played (if you are able to get this information) and their origin
(Standard tune?, original composition?, free improvisation?).
-- Description of the whole mood and sound of the performance. What style
would you label it? Dixieland, Bebop, Cool, Funk Jazz, Soul Jazz, Modern
Acoustic Jazz etc.?
-- Focus on a couple of the selections during the performance and discuss the
form of it in terms of order of events- Head In, Solos, Head Out? List some of the
musical techniques that you have observed? Polyphony, call and response
patterns, walking bass, dropping bombs, pianist's accompaniment style (sparse/
busy), trading fours, collective improvisation etc. ?
-- How would you rate this performance and the performers? What are your own
personal thoughts on the enjoyability of the concert? Would you attend another
performance of this group/performer?
-- Any biographical and general stylistic information on the performers if they are
well-known. You must include your sources in the form of a bibliography if you
include such information.
A lot of information can be gathered if you are able to chat with the musicians
after the performance especially about their style, the songs they performed etc.
Be friendly with the performers but respect their space. Ask if they have the time
to answer a few questions and be considerate if they don't. If the situation does
not allow you to talk to the performers try to gather as much information as you
can from Concert Programs or may be even from your fellow concert attendees.

This assignment will constitute 10% of your grade.

If you have any questions about this assignment, check out the discussion board
on "Class/Assignment Related Threads" or e-mail me at shamans@onid.orst.edu