The interconnected worlds of jazz music, math, and science

Music has its connection to math and science that goes way back to ancient Greece. Prominent ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle recognized and were convinced that music is also a genre of mathematics, just like geometry, astronomy, and the like. 

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Modern musicians and academicians are now looking into integrating music into math, engineering, and science lessons. According to Herbie Hancock, a legendary jazz musician and composer, the use of social media and browsing of the web to learn new things is an indicator that teaching methods should now catch up with how the youth are experiencing the world today. 

Even the music genre like jazz has been linked and associated with creativity. Jazz musicians create their unique improvised riffs by turning off inhibition and turning up creativity. Upbeat music like hip-hop and jazz are among the very few music genres that help boost students’ faculties and master essential skills in the field of math and science. 

Through music, students are taught empathy, creative expression, and the value of working together. In a world where knowledge of science, math, and technology is essential, this approach is envisioned to ensure that the youth today are equipped with core values necessary to address everyday challenges of the world. 

Other music professors and educators are fascinated by and interested in this idea. Some, including Hancock, are taking advantage of combining music and interactive technology to re-examine new methods of teaching the young and finding new ways to deliver advocacy and passion to music effectively by developing online resources and apps.  

 

Image source: liveforlivemusic.com

Hi, there! I’m Christopher J. Keehner, Philadelphia native fond of jazz music, sports, and machines! Let’s talk more on Twitter.

Philadelphia's Love Affair With Jazz

When jazz was born in the late 19th century, music was never the same. Jazz is one of the greatest gifts the African American communities of New Orleans have ever given the world. Immediately following suit was the city of Philadelphia, which housed the largest population of African-Americans in northern Pennsylvania. 

Image source: Wikimedia.org

Philadelphia’s rich musical culture has its roots deep in the early 1800s. Classical and religious music was quite prevalent in the city, and the citizens heavily supported their own symphony orchestra and choral societies. 

As jazz was making its way to the Philadelphian music scene, it was looked down at first as the city’s traditional music was being challenged by this new, high-energy, up-tempo, improvisational sound from the South. However, that disinclination did not last long. 

It was not only the African Americans that were drawn to jazz. Thousands of European immigrants and children of other ethnic backgrounds fell in love with the universally appealing music. 

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By 1920s, Philadelphia started producing its own notable jazz performers. It hd Ethel Waters, a singer from Chester, Pennsylvania, and two of the most significant jazz musicians in America at the time in Eddie Lang and Joe Venuti. 

Up until now, Philadelphia is still one of the places to be when it comes to jazz and it will continue to be at the forefront of the jazz music scene. 

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The Legacy of Etta James: The Sassy Songbird of Jazz

Everyone knows her for her signature hit, “At last.” With her passionate vocals and sweeping orchestration, her rendition stood the test of time to the point where many listeners thought that she wrote it. For the record, At Last is not an Etta James original. It is a song written in the 1940s for the musical film, “Orchestra Wives.”

Although her name would be forever linked to the song, there is actually more to Etta James than what her listeners pigeonhole her for. Try digging a little deeper and you will see a lively, bold, and full spirited singer.

Image source: en.wikipedia.org

 Using her whole heart, Etta sang with such depth. You could feel her pain, her joy, her sorrow and her hope. With a single tune and phrase, she could stop your heart with every rhythm and note that comes from within her soul.

In a musical era when women were expected to be cool, pretty and nice, she was fearless and would always make you wonder how she channels that vast well of emotion. To see and experience what I am talking about, visit YouTube and watch her string of bluesy and jazzy hits like “All I Could Do Was Cry,” “Trust In Me” and “Something’s Got a Hold on Me.”

Image source: tvone.tv

 The thing, however, that makes her truly special is her persona as a singer. She never hides the meanings of songs. Music styles may have changed, but Etta has stuck to her hard-charging approach throughout her career.

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Absolute beauty in jazz and EDM fusion

We live in a world that is constantly changing -- lifestyle, technology, knowledge and, of course, music. Jazz has had the nasty habit of not blending well with other kinds of music, but others find a way to create an exemption. Artists like DJ Quantic and Robert Glasper are stepping up the bar with jazz music by combining the soulful jazz with the electric dance music (EDM), giving birth to "Nu Jazz."

image source: mattwarnockguitar.com 

At first, the idea of mixing soulful and slow music of jazz with the sharp, electric, and fast tempo of EDM seems off-putting, mainly because the two genres are complete polar opposite, but with careful tweaks, the impossible has been deemed possible. The fusion has already sparked a trend that today’s DJs start investing in adding country and jazz samples or focus on electro-house music. All of which today’s generation seems to enjoy.

image source: residentadvisor.net

But DJs nowadays like to include samples in their mixes that we've heard of R&B, spoken word and country, but none had the glitter that Nu Jazz brings. In fact, such movement has brought forth new artists and a fresh opportunity to create music that combines our beloved jazz with the energy of dance music resulting in a soothing sound that is both energetic and meaningful. And I thank the musicians who found a way to create such a perfect genre, for, without them, the jazz industry wouldn't have had a much larger following now.

To others, jazz is just a type of music, but to aficionados like me, it is life and soul. My name is Christopher J. Keehner, and for more quick reads on jazz, follow me on Twitter.