Jazz History

Event

Jazz History Improvisation

Charles Bergeron, Ph.D., Professor of Jazz History and Program Director for Jazz Pedagogy at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music

Improvisation, often shortened to improv, is the activity of making or doing something not planned in advance. This core element of jazz involves the spontaneous use of melody, rhythm and harmonies to elevate every jazz tune ever played. In this session, Charles Bergeron, Ph.D., and professor of jazz studies at the University of Miami, will guide our jazz enthusiasts through all that is improvisation either played on an instrument or by using the voice in scat singing from the development from early New Orleans jazz to bebop, modal and free jazz. Don’t miss this chance to listen and analyze some of our greatest jazz musicians as they “make it up as they go along.”

This presentation is part of Charles Bergeron's Jazz History series.

Charles Bergeron

Charles Bergeron

As a jazz bassist and composer, Charles’ unique approach to improvisation and compositional style reflects the wide variety of musical influences while confirming a deep commitment to his musical cultural heritage as a native New Orleanian. This can be seen in his leadership of the South Florida Jazz Orchestra — a critically acclaimed, modern big band comprising many of the top jazz artists and studio musicians in Miami.