DECONSTRUCTING JAZZ:
A ROAD MAP TO UNFAM ILIAR TERRAIN

Robert B. Prester

DESCRIPTION: “Jazz” is often a misunderstood and sometimes intimidating style of music to listen to, especially for non-musicians. The goal of this course is to unravel some of the questions and mysteries surrounding this great and ever-evolving musical tradition. Familiar standard tunes will be examined through lectures and improvisational piano demonstrations.

FOUR LECTURES:

1. Overview of Jazz: How to listen and identify primary elements of jazz, and music in general. Some of the most common myths and misconceptions about jazz will be revealed.
   
2. Jazz Forms and Structures: Knowing “where you are” in the jazz tune is important. We will be examining the concept of “time” in music.
   
3. Understanding Improvisation: How to “personalize” your experience of improvisation. Ways in which scales and melodies get manipulated will be demonstrated.
   
4. Similarities to Classical Music: We will observe similarities between jazz and classical music. Beethoven’s 5th Symphony will be used as an example.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Robert Prester began classical piano studies at the age of 3, soon continuing at the prep-division of the Manhattan School of Music. He was later awarded a scholarship there to earn his MA in Music. He performs in a wide variety of settings: chamber music, solo piano concerts, jazz trio, and Latin-jazz ensembles. His first recording, Trillium, was nominated for the quarter-finals Grammy Awards. His newest classical composition, a solo piano sonata, was recently premiered at the Festival Internacional de San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, and was performed at the National Gallery in Washington, DC. He now resides in Florida, teaching, recording, composing, and concertizing.