Jazz is a true American art form… a synthesis of the West African music of plantation slaves and the European hymns they sang. From these origins, to the brothels of New Orleans, to its spread throughout America and Europe, we will follow the history, examine the musical elements of jazz and see how the many styles developed over time, from Dixieland to Bebop, Swing and Hard Bop to Cool Jazz and Latin and Afro-Cuban. We’ll listen to, and become more familiar with, some of the leading innovators in Jazz and see how they shaped our music in America.
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Priscilla Hallberg is a concert violinist and a 27 year veteran of the Boston Pops- Esplanade Orchestra. She has been on more than 20 national and international tours, working with Arthur Fiedler, John Williams and Keith Lockhart. She has taught violin, viola and music history and appreciation at Washington State, Murray State, Holy Cross, Medicine Hat College Conservatory in Canada and has been the host of “Amarillo Symphony Presents” on NPR. American jazz was a favorite research topic for her at Rutgers, where she recieved her DMA.
Having moved to Albuquerque in 2017, Priscilla lives, and teaches in the North Valley. She has performed with the Santa Fe Symphony, NM Phil, the Chatter, and has been a featured recitalist at UNM, on the Southwest Arts Concert Series in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and at Music For the Soul, in Edgewood, NM.
