This class will examine some of the elite jazz musicians performing today. Each week we will listen to musicians grouped by instrument to demonstrate breath of current jazz and to contrast musicians’ styles.

One week we will focus on bands led by trumpet and baritone sax players. Another week attention will be focused on trombone and alto sax players with another week on bands led by drummers. We will listen to groups led by bassists, vibraphonists, guitarists, multi-reed players and a violinist. There will also be weeks devoted to contemporary big bands, tenor saxophonists, and pianists.

The musicians will include fairly familiar names like members of the Marsalis family, highly-acclaimed veteran musicians (including 16 NEA Jazz Masters), and emerging new talent. Since jazz receives such limited airplay, the idea is to introduce listeners to the wealth of current talent and to encourage students to seek out these musicians who may periodically perform in Maine and New England.