Ella Fitzgerald (Ella Fitzgerald Collection, National Museum of American History)
A new form of musical expression emerged at the outset of the 20th century, and more than a hundred years later, it is still vital. Its influences came from many corners of American life, from the poorest of the poor and the well-to-do to the musically educated and many without training. But all its creators shared a vision of a new music that carried a message of freedom—freedom to improvise new forms of expression and to cross cultural, economic, racial, and political boundaries. The new music was jazz.
Because of its reputation for being “difficult,” many people shy away from trying to appreciate it. But in some ways, jazz is easy to get: A great singer such as Billie Holiday can bring chills to even a non-expert, and the power of a big band can inspire awe in anyone. Yet part of the beauty of jazz is that by developing a set of guiding tools, listeners can greatly increase their ability to follow and appreciate its music.
Smithsonian curator emeritus John Edward Hasse, one of the country’s foremost jazz historians, leads an exploration of the mysteries, riches, and joys of this all-American art form in a day designed for both aficionados and new fans. He makes jazz come alive as he draws on compelling images, recordings from key musicians, rare films clips, and a live piano demonstration. The program comes to a grand conclusion with a performance by four of Washington’s top jazz musicians.
9:30–10:45 a.m. What Makes Jazz Jazz?
Is all of jazz improvised? What exactly is a blue note? What about jazz makes it American to its core? Hasse offers an introduction to the form, and guidelines to becoming a more informed listener.
11 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Jazz Arises
Hasse traces the factors that made New Orleans, rather than New York City or Chicago, the birthplace of jazz. He examines how Louis Armstrong became arguably the most influential musician in American history. He considers how Duke Ellington’s upbringing in Washington, D.C., influenced his life and work, and why this jazz giant deserves to be called America’s greatest all-around musician.
12:15–1:30 p.m. Lunch (participants provide their own).
1:30–2:45 p.m. Jazz Matures
Hasse looks at some of the key innovators as jazz branched into bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal, fusion, Latin jazz, and other variations after World War II, as well as how the jazz sound traveled abroad. He offers his picks for essential jazz recordings from its second half-century.
3–4 p.m. Jazz Alive
Lena Seikaly, a semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition; saxophonist Marshall Keys; pianist Chris Grasso; and bassist Zack Pride join forces to demonstrate some of the key techniques of jazz musicians and perform tributes to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, and Herbie Hancock.
Hasse is curator emeritus at the American History Museum, founder of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and Duke Ellington’s biographer.
Smithsonian Connections
Women singers, composers, and instrumentalists have made vital contributions to the form throughout the history of jazz. One of the most celebrated is Ella Fitzgerald, represented in collections at the American History Museum and other Smithsonian museums. The online version of the exhibition curated by John Edward Hasse, Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song, traces her musical legacy through a variety of artifacts and memorabilia, and contains several terrific performance videos from various stages of her long career.
Vocalist Lena Seikaly, who counts Fitzgerald as a major influence, brings a contemporary spin to the tradition of women in jazz. See her rendition of the classic “After You’ve Gone”.
