Connecting Challenges

Cool Jazz to Hot Hip Hop

Assignment 1 – Knowledge

Objective:

Highlight characteristics of the west coast jazz sound including a major musical contributor.

Assignments:

Read the “West Coast Jazz” document.
Listen to at least 3 of 5 songs referenced in the “West Coast Cool” document on the media page.
Pretend you are a radio DJ and record your introduction to one of the 3 songs you experienced. Include information regarding who played which instruments on the song, as well as information about this style of Jazz called “Cool Jazz” or “West Coast Jazz”.

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Media

Gerry Mulligan Quartet - Bernie's Tune

Dave Brubeck Quartet - Stardust

Shorty Rogers - Not Really The Blues

Jimmy Giuffre - The Train and The River

Stan Gets/Cal Tjader - Not Really The Blues

Click to view document:

West Coast Jazz Document

Cool Jazz to Hot Hip Hop

Assignment 2 – Comprehension

Objective:

Compare characteristics of the west coast jazz sound

Assignments:

Research the various musical contributions to West Coast Jazz by reading the “Pacific Jazz Records and the West Coast Sound” document on the Media page.
Examine the playlist of RJ’s favorite jazz station KBCA in 1960’s Los Angeles (the “KBCA_1967” and “KBCA_1969” images on the Media page. )
Listen to all 3 songs on the media page
Again pretend you are a DJ and introduce two or more songs from the KBCA playlists. In your audio introductions and/or segues between the songs you add to your playlist, share the various musical paths that led to West Coast Jazz.

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Media

George Benson - Shape of things to come

Wes Montgomery - California Dreaming

Herbie Mann - Memphis Blues

Click to go to article:

Pacific Jazz Records and the West Coast Sound

Click to view document:

KBCA 1967

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KBCA 1969

Cool Jazz to Hot Hip Hop

Assignment 3 – Application

Objective:

Assess the relationship between of police and citizens of Watts during 1960’s and predict musical influences that accompanied the social climate.

Assignments:

Research the 1965 Watts Riots by reading the “Watts Rebellion” documenton the Media page. .
Read “The Watts Riots of 1965” PDF on the Media page. and answer the 3 questions at the end of the article. Upload the document.
Still as the DJ, announce the riots. What happened and why? What points of views were being expressed? Choose the KBCA playlist or the Favorites of West Coast Jazz playlist (from NPR) to accompany your story (upload this file).

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Media

Watts Rebellion

Cool Jazz to Hot Hip Hop

Assignment 4 – Analysis

Objective:

Distinguish the differences between West Coast Jazz sound and sound of the most popular songs of 1965

Assignments:

Research top songs in the summer of 1965 by reading the List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1965 PDFon the Media page.
Add one or two of these songs to your playlist as you talk about the aftermath of the Watts Riot on your Radio Show. How do these songs, particularly “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” (an MP3 of which is includedon the Media page. ) compare to the sound of Cool Jazz or her many variations?

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Media

List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1965.

I can't get no satisfaction

Cool Jazz to Hot Hip Hop

Assignment 5 – Synthesis

Objective:

Integrate the musical and social influences that seemingly inspire the creation of Earth, Wind & Fire

Assignments:

Listen to John Coltrane’s “Kulu Se Mama”on the Media page.
Listen to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Evil”on the Media page.
Listen to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Gotta Get You Into My Life”on the Media page.
Which of the two Earth, Wind & Fire songs sound more inspired by the Coltrane Jazz tune? Choose one or two Earth, Wind & Fire songs to add to your playlist. As the DJ discuss what influences from the Cool Jazz sounds of 1960’s L.A. are recognized in Earth, Wind & Fire's music.

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Media

John Coltrane - Kulu Se Mama

Earth, Wind & Fire - Evil

Earth, Wind & Fire - Gotta get you into my life

Cool Jazz to Hot Hip Hop

Assignment 6 – Evaluation

Objective:

Hypothesize regarding the role of music in a society’s avoidance of and response to injustices. How would the continued popularity of Cool Jazz have influenced society in these regards?

Assignments:

Listen to the “Fight The Power” by Public Enemy and “Made You Die” by Yasiin Bey
Read about the Rodney King Riots in the “Rodney King Biography” document
Read about Trevon Martin shooting in the “Race, Tragedy and Outrage Collide After a Shot in Florida” docon the Media page.
Write and record a one paragraph conclusion for your radio show. Discuss the influence music has or does not have on mass public reaction to injustice. Review elements of Cool Jazz and the Watts Riots as you share one of the stories above and the music that either preceded or followed and the impact the song had on the circumstance.

Media

Fight the Power - Public Enemy

Made you Die - Yasiin Bey

Rodney King Biography

Trevon Martin

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