Miles Davis: Biography, Jazz- and Cultur Historical Context

This subject will give an outline of the discourse which has arisen in relation to Miles Davis’ career as a jazz musician (1945-1990). The course will emphasize analytical insight into central recordings from Miles Davis’ rich production such as his album Kind of Blue which was recognized as a national treasure by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009. It will be vital through deep listening and reflection to obtain an understanding of his originality as a trumpet player, melody- and groove-maker. Thus it will be important to reach a comprehension of the jazz tradition and the mutual influence between the music of Miles Davis and different popular musics, art music, traditional music and world music. The challenges of jazz historiography and the music of Miles Davis will be discussed together with an elucidation of his role as an Afro-American idol and cultural hero.

Knowledge:
An examinee with a completed qualification in MUSV3104
- has in-depth knowledge contemporary jazz history
- has knowledge about historical and updated problems within improvisation practices in jazz and in relation to jazz historiography focusing on the period 1960-1990
Skills:
An examinee with a completed qualification in MUSV3104
- can express his/her deepened knowledge in a convincing way, both in writing and speech
- can individually find and assess relevant research based knowledge to illuminate a problem in connection to the music of Miles Davis specifically and jazz improvisation generally.
- can based on his/her deepened knowledge discuss academic texts in a diversified way, enter a dialogue with the texts of others and carry out his/her own reasoning, both in writing and speech
- can utilize methods specific to jazz historiography and biographical writing within jazz on an independent and critical basis

Lectures and seminars