Gigging, Busking and Bending the Dots: How People Learn to Be Jazz Musicians. Case Studies from Bristol - Softcover

Berry, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3034309627 ISBN 13: 9783034309622

Publisher: Peter Lang AG, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften, 2013

Synopsis

This book traces the learning experiences of the jazz community in Bristol, UK from 1945 to 2012. Grounded in a methodology of participant observation and case studies, it documents changes in the economic, cultural and educational circumstances faced by the players. In their own words, the musicians recall the influences that initiated and developed their musicianship.
Drawing on first-person accounts, the study traces the historical development of jazz music and musicians in Bristol. In the post-war years, players began to develop significant stylistic aspects in the jazz lexicon. Drawing on media sources and interaction in performance, players garnered a host of performing skills whilst suffering dwindling audiences and declining venues. Reforms in English music education in the 1980s offered formal opportunities to study jazz in the city’s schools, drawing minimal attention from institutions. Practical learning and playing opportunities offered by the Local Authority music service sustained a modest membership over the years. Post millennium, local schools, with one or two exceptions, showed little interest in jazz education. Nevertheless, maintaining its traditional stance, Bristol’s jazz community continues to exhort top quality jazz performances including compositions that match national and international standards.

About this title

About the Author

John Berry is an instrumental teacher for a Local Authority music service. He holds a PhD in Education from the University of Roehampton. Trained as a musician in army bands, he worked as a freelance trombone player in a variety of big bands, groups and ensembles in many venues throughout the UK. His work as a teacher includes teaching in independent and state schools and establishing a private practice, together with twenty years as Head of Music in a comprehensive school. He continues to perform in local bands whenever possible.

Edition details

• Publisher: Peter Lang AG, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3034309627
• ISBN 13: 9783034309622
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 260