Coe Thursday Forum highlights music of Big Band and Swing Era
Alma A. Turechek Professor of Music
William Carson
Join Alma A. Turechek Professor of Music William Carson as he presents the stories and music of four fantastic big band leaders who dominated the swing era: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, “the King of Swing” Benny Goodman and Iowa’s own Glenn Miller.
This series begins by exploring the developments that led to the emergence of the swing era and the prominence of big bands. Forum participants will track the rise of Count Basie’s band from obscurity to pop musical leadership, recognizing the band’s most significant soloists and other important band leaders.
The second week continues with Duke Ellington’s band, following its story from early days as the Washingtonians to Ellington’s later symphonic and sacred works. Musicians associated with Ellington, like Bubber Miley, Cootie Williams and Billy Strayhorn, will also be discussed.
Participants next learn about Benny Goodman, from his humble musical origins in a Chicago synagogue band to his triumphant Carnegie Hall jazz concert and beyond. Important sidemen like Gene Krupa, Harry James and Lionel Hampton figure prominently in this story.
Finally, Glenn Miller’s story takes us from his early years in Clarinda, Iowa, to the height of his fame in the early 1940s to his disappearance over the English Channel. It also shows how World War II and a musicians’ union strike contributed to breaking up the big bands and catalyzed a return to small-group jazz and the birth of bebop.
Thursday Forum lectures are held in Kesler Lecture Hall in Hickok Hall on the Coe College campus. Each session begins with coffee and pastries from 8:45-9:15 a.m., followed by the class until 11:30 a.m. This forum series will be held April 4, 11, 18 and 25 with an optional luncheon at the conclusion of the forum on April 25. Admission is $35 for the four-week course or $12 per week. Visit www.coe.edu/thursday-forum to register.
Coe values its location and relationship with the Cedar Rapids community and looks forward to providing insightful forum topics. Established in 1851, Coe has a national reputation for academic excellence enhanced by a student-centered, highly supportive campus environment. Coe’s success in offering superb academics and exciting co-curricular activities stems in large part from its location in a thriving urban setting that promotes student growth and success. As such, Coe welcomes the community to participate in this event.