Performance Guide
A Performance and Demonstration
Cuesheet
NNenna freelon Meet six-time GRAMMY®-nominated jazz vocalist and composer Nnenna Freelon (pronounced NEEnuh), who has been hailed as the “international voice of Jazz.” Jazz, especially vocal jazz, is a form of music through which an artist’s individual style clearly emerges and Nnenna Freelon’s work is a good example. Get to know her unique sound as she and her band perform a high energy concert program of well-known jazz standards and original works of music. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn the art of active listening, as well as pick up pointers on how to interpret jazz music.
Nnenna Freelon: What You Should Know n
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Born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Freelon discovered her passion for music at age seven when she sang her first solo at church. She was introduced to jazz music through her parents’ record collection, which included albums by groundbreaking jazz musicians and vocalists. Despite her early love for music, Freelon did not pursue a singing career until later in her life. First, she studied and worked in the health care industry, and embraced her role as a wife and the mother of three children. But ever since turning her focus back to music in the early 1990s, Freelon has recorded 11 albums which have earned her numerous awards and recognition. Freelon has collaborated and performed with such top jazz artists as Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. She has also been seen and heard in feature films and television shows including What Women Want and “Mad Men.”
Performances for Young Audiences is made possible by
The First Musical Instrument What do you think was the first musical instrument? Rocks and sticks? Log drums or bamboo flutes? Or did you guess that the first musical instrument was actually the simplest of all: the voice.
What You Should Listen For
The Jazz Singer
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Jazz is truly an American musical form— and many people consider it one of America’s best contributions to the world of music. Jazz first emerged about 100 years ago in the American south, most distinctly in New Orleans, Louisiana. This seaport city served as home to people of African, French, English, Caribbean, and other backgrounds. It became a melting pot for music from these many traditions. African American musicians fused elements of ragtime, blues, classical, and big brass band sounds to create this distinct new type of music. Jazz singing developed in the early twentieth century, largely pioneered by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, who were known for vocal improvisation and “scatting,” a singing style where wordless syllables are used instead of actual words and the voice is used much like a musical instrument. As record players became widespread among listeners, talented jazz singers gained popularity and became celebrities, including many female singers, like Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan.
At this performance/demonstration, you will hear a mix of new, original compositions, and familiar jazz standards.
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These jazz standards refer to popular musical compositions, mostly created between the 1920s and 1960s for Broadway musicals and films. Because many of these standards first began as popular songs, mass audiences found their strong, distinct melodies and lyrics on universal themes and feelings very appealing. The songs are called “standards” because they are so widely known and performed, they have become a permanent part of the jazz music repertoire, also known as the “Great American Songbook.” Most jazz singers either know, or are familiar with, a large number of jazz standards. Listen for how the standards allow for artistic freedom and interpretation, while retaining core elements such as melody and lyrics.
Michael M. Kaiser President Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education Jason Moran Artistic Director for Jazz Kennedy Center Jazz is made possible through the generous support of Carolyn and Bill Powers. Additional support for Performances for Young Audiences is provided in part by Adobe Foundation; The Clark Charitable Foundation; Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Macy*s Foundation; The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Park Foundation, Inc.; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; an endowment from the Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family Foundation; U.S. Department of Education; Verizon Foundation; Washington Gas; and by generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund, and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Major support for the Kennedy Center’s educational programs is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program.
Musical Language Here are some terms you should know…
www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge
arrangement an adaptation of a piece of music for performance in a different way, especially on different instruments for which it was originally composed
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harmony two or more notes played together that create a compatible or pleasant sound
Learn more about Education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education
improvisation creating music or song spontaneously, a technique that requires great musical skill and creativity melody the tune you hum or sing along with when listening to a favorite song soloing when a single musician improvises a section of music Besides her musical talent, Freelon is known for her work with students to improve the quality of education through the arts.
David M. Rubenstein Chairman
The contents of this Cuesheet do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. © 2012 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Listen Up! Check out more about the history of jazz at Jazz in Time http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/ multimedia/series/AEMicrosites/ jazz-in-time