Learning to play, learning to live: black British jazz and education - panel and discussion

18 November 2010, 18:00-21:00
The Open University, 1-11 Hawley Crescent, Camden Town, London NW1 8NP, UK

This is a free event with all welcome. To book a place, please email Mark Doffman on M.R.Doffman@open.ac.uk or phone Mark on 01908 655398 / 07711 671647.

This event will examine the contribution of black British jazz to music education. The panel consists of a group of leading musicians and educators. Their edited biographies below barely begin to scratch the surface of a range of rich careers and individual achievements. But collectively they serve to introduce the calibre, diversity and the sheer breadth and depth of experience encompassed in black British jazz.

Whilst acknowledging the Black Atlantic roots/routes of the music (from the Caribbean, United States and Africa) the panel’s focus will be on the educational work that is being done right now. In particular we will be asking how this unique tradition and pedagogic practice can be shared and extended, what the policy implications of developing jazz education might be, and what can be done at a time when arts budgets are being slashed to develop the black British contribution non only to jazz but British cultural diversity too.