Music 80E: History
of "Jazz"
Dr. Karlton E. Hester, Fall Quarter 2002
Films: "Jazz Women on Video(1)" and "The Duke Ellington Orchestra(2)"
(1)
Title: Jazz Women on Video [videorecording] : foremothers,
volume 1 / produced and directed by Rosetta and Rebecca Reitz.
Published: New York, NY : Rosetta Records, c1990 LOC CALL # STATUS Film
& Music Reserves
UCSC Library Call No.: VT7018Ê
(2)
Title: Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, 1929-1941 [videorecording]
: Stars of the Cotton Club
Published: Rahway, N.J. : Jazz Classics ; North Hollywood, Calif. : distributed
by Passport International Productions, [1987]
Added title: Duke Ellington and his orchestra, 1929-1952.
UCSC Library Call No.: VT7662Ê
1. Identify the artist and song featured in each video clip.
2. Who do you feel is in charge of the decisions made in the production?
3. What elements of sexism are demonstrated by these decisions?
4. How do some artists demonstrate degrees of control over the way they are presented on film?
5. How does the eye of the camera move to highlight either the talent of artists or of images for sensationalism?
6. Are there residual elements of Jim Crow or minstrelsy remaining in any of the films?
7. Following the use of microphones on stage, what can you tell about the musicians’ control of dynamics and musical balance?
8. Is there a balanced emphasis on soloists, leaders and accompanying musicians?
9. How prominently does dance figure into these performances?
10. What is the relationship between performers and audiences? What can you tell about the social dynamics of the day from this?
Living Encyclopedia
of Global African Music
Received 10/11/2002
Posted 10/11/2002