Jazz

What a Wonderful World

As the Symphonic Band students explored the history & culture of jazz music, we discovered more about several great jazz musicians such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong. Armstrong popularized the song "What a Wonderful World" by George David Weiss & Bob Thiele, which the students learned on their instruments to record & edit on SoundTrap! (Video is unlisted and not public on Youtube)

Jazz Standards Recordings

While learning about the history and culture of jazz, Honors Band & Chamber Orchestra students recorded jazz standards by Duke Ellington and George Gershwin on SoundTrap along with backing tracks

Jazz Standards Ensemble Recordings

Ralston Plays Traditional Jazz and Big Band Swing

Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, John "Dizzy" Gillespie, Thelonius Monk, Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Scott Joplin, Ella Fitzgerald....these are just a few of the important figures students learned about for discussing the history and context of early jazz. Students even tried their hands at playing rhythmic improvisations off a lead sheet AND a jazz backing track -- not an easy feat under any circumstances! Please check out the great work of these students!

Jazz Unit Slides