Archives, Episode 76, Introduction to Jazz with Jan Randall.

According to Wikipedia, Jan Randall, a Canadian composer, pianist, and arranger, has made a career of composing soundtracks for films, theatre, radio, and television.  He combines playing by ear with his formal classical and jazz training.  And he teaches jazz appreciation courses through UVic and is a faculty member of the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

For this week’s program, Jan talks about a jazz appreciation course he has taught over the years. His objective is to help everybody expand their minds.  And he expanded mine!  Never before had I thought about jazz’s “Chopin roots”.

His audience? “People who are severely allergic to technical jargon”.

Enjoy Jan’s inspiring commentary, his positive energy,  and some great music!  From Louis Armstrong, through Art Tatum, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Joe Pass & Herb Ellis, and up to The Yellow Jackets.  Plus one very fine original Jan Randall composition, and he demonstrates his creative process in putting it together