WCU Comparison of Godman and Miller Jazz Music during the Swing Era Essay

IV. Final Project details: ** TYPED, DOUBLE SPACED, FONT 12. Select a style of jazz that you

enjoy. Make your choice based on the categories that we cover in the text. Select two artists that
represent the style you have chosen. (Both artists must be from the same style period.) These should be
artists discussed in class, your textbook, or artists that you have discovered on your own through active
listening. Do make sure you select artists who have been recognized by wide jazz community as valuable
assets to this art form – your instructor will double check and make recommendations accordingly. Write
a paper on your chosen style (footnotes permitted), focusing on the recorded music of the two selected
artists. The body of your paper must be at least five pages in length, the sixth page is the Listening
guide for two chosen songs, and then a seventh page must include five varied sources. The sources
must include your class textbook, one credible online resource such as Wikipedia or e-book, and one
independent source, such as official artist’s website or an article from a periodical or a jazz magazine
online.
The following elements must be present in your paper in this order:

Pages 1-5 (At least 5 pages)
1. Biographical information of both artists.
2. Information about the composer/s of the music if different from the artists themselves.
3. The social and historical context relevant to the style of Jazz you chose focusing on topics as studied in
class.
4. An analysis of the music focusing on the differences and similarities of the two selected artists. This
analysis is to be an intelligent, informed discussion using concepts and terminology that you have learned
in this class (about one and half pages long). Suggested areas of discussion may include: a. Melody b.
Harmony c. Instrumentation d. Degree of improvisation e. Style of improvisation f. Composition
techniques g. Rhythm styles used by the ensemble h. Rhythm elements in the composition i. Rhythm
styles used by the soloists j. Ostinato/Sequence/Repetition/Cadence k. Articulation l. Idiomatic expression
m. Meter n. Syncopation o. Form p. Dynamics q. Cultural and world influences r. Commercial vs. artistic
focus s. Recording and production t. Other
5. Your personal comments on the music of each artist including why their music appeals to you.
Page 6:
Listening Guide: Select two songs and analyze using the Listening Guide that we use in class. (One song
from each artist)
Page 7:
The last page: your