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Latin Jazz: la combinación perfecta

Lesson Plan: Latin Jazz Tutorial

Roots and Branches of Latin Jazz

Grades: 8-12

Subject:  Music

Description:                 
This lesson plan is intended to familiarize its users with the history and development of Latin Jazz from an Americas perspective.  The tutorial is designed to illustrate the movements and contributions amongst artists from the Americas Diaspora between 1900 to the present and the stylistic changes undergone by artists of different cultures and languages to produce hybrid forms of integrated music.  Students will also be introduced to some areas of African and European history as a way of understanding roots of the music.  Students will be presented with relevant historical periods at the crux of the formation of Latin Jazz, an overview of the relevant pioneers of the music responsible for establishing recognizable music genres, musical compositions, a summary of instruments typical of the music, as well as other informational aspects important to understanding the contributions of Latin Jazz throughout the Americas.

Methodology:              
The lesson plan will rely on a combination of audio, visual and informational content to familiarize users with the history of Latin Jazz.  Significant areas of instruction will encourage students’ knowledge development in the following areas: a.) cultural analysis of Latin jazz music history; b.) artist familiarity; c.) instrument format; d.) audio recognition; e.) genre recognition; f). vocabulary and g). composition structure (introduction to the “clave” in Latin music)

Time Required:            
At the leisure of the student, although an estimated 8-10 hours is projected as necessary in preparation for the knowledge exam.

Materials Needed:    
Windows 95/98/00 - 56K Modem - PC Sound Card - Real Player Audio (or equivalent) - Speakers

Resources:                   
Latin Jazz Time-Line:  The historical component of the tutorial sets the foundation for understanding the contributions of particular artists of distinction, compositions, genres, musical definitions, people flow and cross-cultural engagement, and historical music venues.  The time-line will students understand the historical continuum of Latin Jazz.

Latin Jazz Map: 
The map will allow for students to visually see what cultural movements are at the root of Latin Jazz.  The map will also include a legend.

Reflection and Essay Section: 
Students will be asked to think generally about the movement of people and world events in the construction of Latin Jazz.  How does the movement of individuals through several areas accelerate musical innovation and is this something that can be said about other forms of music that you are familiar with.  What are some characteristics that the cities of New Orleans and Santiago de Cuba, Havana, and New York City share in the area of culture and music?   What are your general impressions about Latin Jazz from a musical and cultural point of view?  Elaborate on the idea that Latin Jazz is a music of the Americas citing examples from the timeline.

Encouraging Further Scholarship: 
In the spirit of piquing the interest of the casual observer or the serious fan, the lesson plan has compiled a series of bibliographical references and other resources to encourage further scholarship in the field.