Swing University Spring 2018 Schedule
Registration begins July 18!
Monk’s Mood: The Life of Thelonious Monk
Taught by Greg Thomas
6 nights: April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 14
6:30–8:30pm
Irene Diamond Education Center (IDEC)
$150.00
One of the most beloved and unforgettable figures of any style of music, Thelonious Monk was an original in every way. As a composer, he wrote some of the most unusual—yet utterly unforgettable and lyrically brilliant—compositions in jazz, while applying a singular and utterly distinctive piano touch to every performance. Songs he wrote, including “‘Round Midnight,” “Epistrophy,” “In Walked Bud,” and dozens more, have become some of the most fundamental cornerstones of jazz, and generations of listeners and musicians have fallen in love with and been inspired by his music. The author and scholar Greg Thomas will teach you why.
Jazz 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Jazz
Taught by Seton Hawkins
8 Nights: April 12, 19, May 3, 17, 24, 31, June 6, 14
6:30-8:30pm
Irene Diamond Education Center (IDEC)
$226.00
Do you love jazz and want to learn more about it? Join us for one of today’s best introductions to our nation’s greatest art form! In Jazz 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Jazz, we’ll help you develop your ears to hear the many details and intricacies that make this music so endlessly fascinating and guide you through the history and development of the styles. Instructor and Swing University curator Seton Hawkins will provide your introduction to jazz; no musical knowledge is required.
High Priestess of Soul: Nina Simone
Taught by Brianna Thomas
6 Nights: April 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
6:30-8:30pm
Irene Diamond Education Center (IDEC)
$150.00
A brilliant pianist, an unforgettable vocalist, a superbly gifted composer, and a fighter for civil rights: Nina Simone is one of the most iconic voices and figures in this music. Defying genre conventions throughout her career, Simone crafted a unique musical conception that would come to inspire nearly everyone who encountered it. Join vocalist Brianna Thomas as she brings you into the world and music of Nina Simone.
Jazz 301
Taught by Ben Young
8 Nights: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12, 19
6:30–9:30pm
Irene Diamond Education Center (IDEC)
$226.00
Jazz 301: An Expert’s Guide to Jazz is the most advanced jazz survey course in the world and provides students with detailed and nuanced insights into all aspects of the music’s history. Students in Jazz 301: An Expert’s Guide to Jazz may choose to take an optional final exam; those who pass are presented with a certificate signed by our Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, acknowledging the recipient’s exceptional scholarship. Many have used this document for academic credit and career advancement.