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The Jazz Soul of Harold Arlen

Instructor
Mark Gridley
SMS343C

Course Description

Jazz musicians love Broadway show tunes. The only Broadway composer favored more than Harold Arlen was George Gershwin. In fact, Arlen’s “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Get Happy,” and “Out of this World” sound almost like they were written as jazz tunes. This course will celebrate the best Arlen tunes and their most exciting jazz renditions. Videos and vocal versions will introduce the melodies, and classic jazz recordings will dig deeper into their rich harmonies. Space is limited. Mark Gridley is a master of jazz. He imparts his knowledge with such enthusiasm that it is infectious -  OLLI Patron

Lectures

  1. "Over the Rainbow," "Come Rain or Come Shine," and "Stormy Weather," featuring renditions by Judy Garland, Bille Holiday, Keith Jarrett, Art Pepper, Gerry Mulligan, and Duke Ellington.
  2. "I’ve Got the World on a String," "My Shining Hour," featuring renditions by John Coltrane, Benny Carter, Sarah Vaughan, Art Tatum, and Nat Cole.
  3. "Get Happy," "Paper Moon," "I’m Old Fashioned," featuring renditions by Judy Garland, J.J. Johnson, Clifford Brown, Art Tatum, John Coltrane.
  4. "Blues in the Night," "Out of this World," and "Sleeping Bee," with renditions by Quincy Jones, Art Farmer, Ella Fitzgerald, and John Coltrane.

Course Info

  • Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Date: Wednesdays, August 7, 14, 21, 28
  • Location: Lifelong Learning classrooms, Continuing Education Building
  • Fees: Member - $70
    Non-member - $90
    One-time guest pass, Member or Non-member at the door - $30.

About the Instructor

  • Dr. Mark C. Gridley is the author of America’s most widely read introductions to jazz: JAZZ STYLES and CONCISE GUIDE TO JAZZ. The books have undergone 11 editions and six translations. Gridley has conducted field research in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and all the jazz centers in the United States. He has also written extensively for ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNIICA and GROVE DICTIONARIES OF MUSIC, leading to a listing in WHO’S WHO IN AMERICA. As professional jazz flutist-saxophonist he has appeared with Sammy Davis, Jr., Tony Bennett, The Jackson Five, Robert Goulet, The Temptations, The Fifth Dimension, The O Jays, and toured with Lou Rawls and Les Elgart. He has lectured at colleges across the nation and addressed musicology conferences on his research findings and his advances in jazz appreciation pedagogy.