One of the best aspects of the New Negro Renaissance is the style and approach that each teacher brings to the topic of the day. I have appreciated, but not always understood the English teachers’ finite interpretation of verse. I do have a certain level of comfort and understanding with the history teachers. However, the musicians are awesome.
I have always enjoyed music, but only have a rudimentary knowledge of musical styles. The lyrics of a song have been used in my class to bring home a point or to further students’ understanding of an issue. Patrick Burke’s lecture and the music he played was a solid demonstration of the movement of music that became jazz. Interestingly, jazz was first considered to be low brow music that was not worthy of black writers words. The elite were creating a high art culture that would be admired by Whites. Jazz was definitely low culture.
Ironically, Duke Ellington brought a level of style and sophistication to jazz that had not been seen before. Ellington was a gifted piano player, but he used his orchestra as an instrument, too. He is most remembered as a composer and arranger. One of my favorite songs is “Satin Doll.” It has a unique opening that is eloquent, yet gives the listener a jolt as the song hops into a more improvisational tune. This is standard fare today, but it was a great innovative departure for music makers at the time. Ellington brought what was considered low culture jazz to great critical and financial success.
-- Emily Bono
