Teaching School Jazz: Perspectives, Principles, and Strategies

Written by an experienced and diverse lineup of veteran jazz educators, Teaching School Jazz presents a comprehensive approach to teaching beginning through high school-level jazz. Thoroughly grounded in the latest research, chapters are supported by case studies woven into the narrative. The book therefore provides not only a wealth of school jazz teaching strategies but also the perspectives and principles from which they are derived. The book opens with a philosophical foundation to describe the current landscape of school jazz education. Readers are introduced to two expert school jazz educators who offer differing perspectives on the subject. The book concludes with an appendix of recommended audio, visual, digital, and written resources for teaching jazz. Accompanied by a website of playing exercises and audio examples, the book is invaluable resource for pre- and in-service music educators with no prior jazz experience, as well as those who wish to expand their knowledge of jazz performance practice and pedagogy.

Chad West is Associate Professor and Chair of music education at Ithaca College. Prior to his appointment, he served as a public school band director for eight years, as Associate Conductor of the Atlanta Wind Symphony, and as a trumpeter for Princess Cruise Lines. He has published over 20 music education journal articles and has edited two books with Oxford University Press. He is a frequent presenter at state, national, and international music education conferences on the topics of preservice music teacher education, popular music education, and jazz pedagogy.

Mike Titlebaum is Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at Ithaca College, where he directs the Jazz Ensemble, coaches combos, and teaches jazz saxophone and courses in jazz standards, arranging, repertoire, and pedagogy. He has played in many of New York's world famous musical venues, including the Blue Note, Smalls, Augies, Fez Under Time Café, and the infamous CBGB's as well as the pit orchestra of the Broadway musical Cats. He has performed with dozens of internationally recognized artists and groups such as Jason Robert Brown, Red Rodney, the Mingus Big Band, Cab Calloway, Natalie Cole, Billy Taylor, Mel Torme, Branford Marsalis, Paquito D'Rivera, and many others.