TTC Audio – Elements of Jazz: From Cakewalks to Fusion

The uniquely American music and art form, jazz, is one of America’s great contributions to world culture. Now you can learn the basics of jazz and its history in a course as free-flowing and original as jazz itself. Taught by Professor Bill Messenger of the Peabody Institute, the lectures in this course are a must for music lovers. They will have you reaching deep into your own music collection and going straight out to a music store to add to it.

Professor Messenger has spent his life in music as student, teacher, and professional musician. He has studied and lectured at the famed Peabody Institute and written an acclaimed book on music activities aimed at older adults.

And as a pianist, he has

• Played in ragtime ensembles, swing bands, Dixieland bands, and modern jazz groups
• Been a successful studio musician in the early days of rock ‘n’ roll
• Accompanied performers as renowned as Lou Rawls and Mama Cass Elliot
• Opened for Bill Haley and the Comets.

So it is no wonder that the course he has created is so thorough and enjoyable.