2016-17 Academic Catalog

In this course, students will investigate the interest of white literati in jazz during the 1930s and 1940 through the lens of former Carleton English professor Jack Lucas. An writer for the well-known jazz appreciation magazine Down Beat, Lucas taught courses about jazz in the 1950s, and donated his large historic record collection to the College. We will read early written criticism and consider issues of canonization of jazz. Students will create their own compilation of early jazz recordings according to a theme, revisiting a common form of agency among jazz critics during the 1950s.  Prerequisite: Music 126