COR 447 THE MUSIC OF MILES DAVIS
Jazz musician, composer, innovator, and trumpeter Miles Davis (1926-1991) is arguably the most significant jazz musician who ever lived. He personally changed the course of jazz five times. Not only are his innovations still being followed and performed by musicians everywhere, but his music reflected his times more so than any pop, folk, rock, blues or classical musician and/or composer. This course will look in-depth at Miles' music and how it reflected American culture in each of the decades of the last half of the 20th century. Readings, videos and recordings will not only cover the music of Miles and his contemporaries, but will also show how Miles kept pace with the turbulent society during his times. Simultaneously, students will investigate Miles' worldwide influence. The course will culminate in a project melding the students' knowledge gained from their years of specific collegiate areas of study with music's worldwide reach. This course is writing intensive. Open to students in the third or fourth year of study. Counts as a 300-400 level MUS elective for music majors who are not counting it as their COR capstone.