Jazz on Film: A 3-Week Short Course

Jazz on Film is a new short course for fans of music and film to explore these mediums in-depth with Dr. Tom Shaker, a retired professor who has focused his career on music and pop culture. This three-week course will take place on Tuesdays, January 29, Feb 5 and Feb 12 from 4 to 6:30 pm. Free and open to all. Space is limited. Register by phone or online using the form below.

Jazz is uniquely American. Originating in New Orleans, jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation. As jazz spread around America and the world, it drew on different national, regional, and local musical cultures, which gave rise to many distinctive styles. Over the years, many movies have used jazz; in it’s soundtrack, as a performance at a nightclub or to set the mood for a period piece. This short course will look at films where jazz is the “main ingredient.”

Young Man With a Horn starring Kirk Douglas, Doris Day, Lauren Bacall and Hoagy Carmichael
No Rating (1950) 1 hr 52 mins

I Want to Live starring Susan Hayward and Simon Oakland
No Rating (1958) 2 hrs

Keep On, Keepin' On starring Clark Terry, Justin Kauflin and Quincy Jones
Rated R (2014) 1 hr 24 mins

One film will be screened each class with discussion of its use of jazz in the context of the film. While there will be a minimum of lecture, interaction is encouraged. Students questions, experiences and reflections are what will make this course fun, interesting and informative!

Dr. Tom Shaker attended Emerson College in Boston as an undergraduate student. He received his masters degree from UMASS and his doctorate degree from Boston University. He has been a college professor for 30 years, recently retiring as a professor and director of the Communications Program at Dean College in Franklin, MA, where he taught for 15 years.  Tom has taught various courses over the years including “The Roots of Popular Music,” and “The Great Depression: It’s Music & Literature.” He’s taught many courses in Video, Film & Radio Production, as well as Journalism and Public Speaking courses. He’s spoken and written about music, TV and films at numerous conferences, workshops and in journals. Tom is co-author of A Treasury of Rhode Island Jazz & Swing Musicians. He is also the award-winning film producer, director and editor of Do It Man! The Story of The Celebrity Club.

Sponsored by the Friends of Barrington Public Library

Event Location: 
Salem Family Auditorium (Second Floor)
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