Harvard Jazz Orchestra
MUSIC 18
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
The Harvard Jazz Orchestra was created in 1971 by Director of Bands Tom Everett when he first arrived at the University. Passionate that exposure to this unique American art form be part of students’ education, he created a rag-tag jazz band of primarily Harvard [marching] Band recruits. Since its inception, the Harvard Jazz Orchestra has served as the vehicle for students across disciplines to study and learn the jazz canon. Over the years, the Jazz Orchestra has focused on the literature of Duke Ellington and complete retrospective concerts of the music of Charles Mingus, Charlie Parker, Gerry Mulligan, Lee Konitz, Benny Carter, Buck Clayton, Clark Terry, J. J. Johnson, and Julius Hemphill. Other literature has ranged from the classic arrangements of Count Basie and Fletcher Henderson to the modern jazz of Gil Evans and Charles Mingus, the contemporary ensemble improvisations of Barry Guy and Lester Bowie, and the jazz-rock of Michael Gibbs, Russ Gershon Harvard ’81, Rufus Reid, George Cables and Cassandra Wilson. In 2015, Yosvany Terry was appointed Director of Jazz Bands. Under his direction, the Harvard Jazz Orchestra continues this tradition of focusing on a program of study that provides students with a grounding in a wide range of iconic and new literature. The curriculum builds throughout the year.
Course Notes
The course is graded SAT/UNSAT based on attendance and participation. This course may be taken repeatedly.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
NOTE: This course requires additional sections; you will be prompted to choose secondary components during the Add to Cart process
