Learning Jazz: Jazz Education, History, and Public Pedagogy

Learning Jazz: Jazz Education, History, and Public Pedagogy explores the debate between institutional education and informal mentoring in jazz learning, arguing that both forces impact and are impacted by events and practices outside institutional contexts. It examines historical case studies, such as the development of method books, critic Paul Eduard Miller's attempts to develop a jazz canon, and the disconnect between great men and the everyday realities of artists. It also tackles race in jazz education, the intersections between identity and assessment, bandleaders Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson, public school segregation, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and more. The book posits that there is room for both institutional and non-institutional forces in the educational realm of jazz.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

Learning Jazz: Jazz Education, History, and Public Pedagogy delves into a longstanding debate that has captivated practitioners and advocates since the music's inception. Studies on jazz learning primarily revolve around two approaches: institutional education or the informal mentoring relationships traditionally associated with the tradition. Ken Prouty contends that this distinction undermines a shared identity among audiences and communities. Instead, what transpires within educational institutions has a profound impact on and is influenced by events and practices beyond their boundaries.

While formal institutions are well-defined in educational and civic contexts, informal institutions have exerted a significant influence on the development of jazz and its discourses. Prouty employs historical case studies to highlight pivotal moments in jazz history. He explores how early method books capitalized on a burgeoning commercial market, appropriating public expertise about the music. Chapters also discuss critic Paul Eduard Miller and his efforts to establish a jazz canon, as well as the gap between the celebrated great men and the realities faced by artists in their daily lives. Addressing race in jazz education, Prouty examines the intersections between identity and assessment, exploring the roles of bandleaders Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson, public school segregation, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and other relevant aspects. He further delves into jazz's public pedagogy, examining the sometimes challenging relationships between jazz enthusiasts and the broader public. Ultimately, Learning Jazz posits that there is space for both institutional and non-institutional forces to contribute to jazz education.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496847911