Lesson Title: DEI & the History of Jazz Saxophone - Advanced

Objective: I can… identify the role of minority artists in the formation and evolution of jazz.

Introduction
● Welcome student
● No saxophone for now
● Ask if they can name a jazz tune? Jazz musician? Jazz saxophonist?
● BRIEF summary of the beginnings of jazz
○ Came from many genres which were present in New Orleans in 19th century
○ African American slaves combined musical traditions from Africa and the
Caribbean with European instruments to make a new genre
○ Rhythmic aspects from the Caribbean
○ Forms from Africa - call & response and spirituals
● Evolved through many different genres before jazz as we know it
○ Ragtime and the blues

Timeline
● Present timeline to the student
○ Digital, use TV in studio
○ Prepare before student arrives
● Highlight major events listed
○ Key players
○ Genre eras (bebop, funk, etc.)
○ DON’T highlight spotlight artist
● Point out other historical happenings concurrent
○ Restoration, Great Migration, Great Depression, WWII, Civil Rights

Artist Spotlight - John Coltrane’s “Alabama”

● Present visual aid about Coltrane
● Pinpoint his place along the timeline
● Explain a little about him
○ One of the most famous jazz saxophonists of all time
○ Played tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone
○ Classic tunes like “Giant Steps”
○ Work spanned several jazz eras
● Hand out listening activity sheet
● Explain historical context of “Alabama”
○ Conceived in response to 16th Street Baptist Church bombing
 ○ Memorial to victims
○ Melody inspired by vocal inflections of MLK
● Play John Coltrane’s “Alabama”
○ Bring portable speaker
● Go over sheet when finished
○ How did this make you feel?
○ Did you like it?
○ Musical aspects (meter, different instruments)
○ What about it speaks to the historical context?
○ What emotions does Coltrane convey in his playing?

Transcription
● Student assembles instrument
● Give student a copy of the transcribed (and simplified) melodic line from Coltrane’s solo
● OR display on screen? Depends on the length
● [Insert teaching sequence here]

Extension - At Home Activity - Student Choice

● Before student leaves, give them at-home listening activity sheet
● Options of artists to research:
○ Vi Redd
○ Nina Simone
○ Mahalia Jackson
○ Max Roach
○ Abbey Lincoln
● Research these musicians, and listen to a piece by them
○ Name?
○ Birth date?
○ Jazz genre?
○ Name of piece?
● Similar questions on the sheet about specific song
○ How does this make you feel?
○ Happy or sad?
○ Do you like it?
○ Imagery invoked
● Instruct them to return next week with thoughts and opinions