After the first jazz recordings were made in 1917, jazz spread across the nation. It evolved over decades, helped along by influential musicians. In the 1920s, trumpeter Louis Armstrong introduced improvised solos and Duke Ellington popularized big band jazz; in the 1930s, people began dancing to jazz music, thanks to the upbeat sounds of Benny Goodman’s and Count Basie’s swing music. Charlie Parker’s groundbreaking bebop of the 1940s led to Miles Davis’ complex “cool” style in the 1950s. Jazz moved into the 1960s with pioneers like John Coltrane and his modal jazz; the next decades brought more change—from fusion, which brought together multiple styles, to the neo-classical leanings of Wynton Marsalis and other “young lions.” Jazz continues to evolve today—building on its vast legacy of innovation and experimentation.
Deborah F. Rutter President Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education and Jazz Programming Jason Moran Artistic Director for Jazz Discovery Artists in the KC Jazz Club are supported by The King-White Family Foundation, Dr. J. Douglas White, and The Argus Fund. Jazz Performance/Demonstrations are made possible by Kaplan, Inc.; Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; and the U.S. Department of Education. Major support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program. Education and related artistic programs are made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.
www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org Cuesheets are produced by ArtsEdge, an education program of the Kennedy Center. Learn more about Education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education The contents of this Cuesheet have been
Listen Up! To learn more about jazz visit www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge and click the tag “jazz”
developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. © 2014 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Katie Ernst
Little Words
Performance Guide
Jazz is a truly 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 also 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.
David M. Rubenstein Chairman
Cuesheet
Jazz: An Evolving Art Form
A Performance and Demonstration
Poetry and Music: About the Performance Meet jazz music’s triple-threat Katie Ernst, a bassist, vocalist, and composer who brings the poetry of 1920s American writer Dorothy Parker to life in the original program Little Words. Katie Ernst developed her passion for music at an early age, playing the double bass in her elementary school orchestra. Today, at only 26 years old, her unique musical sound blends a wide range of styles, including jazz, folk, indie, and rock.
The Concert Program Jazz and poetry are different art forms, but they have more in common than you might think. During Little Words, you will hear Ernst perform original music inspired by a medley of Dorothy Parker poems. She is joined on stage by band members Dustin Laurenzi (tenor saxophone), Stuart Mindeman (piano), and Andrew Green (drums).
“Two-Volume Novel” Ernst kicks off the program with this piece based on Parker’s short poem on unrequited love. Listen for…how Ernst adds her own sounds and phrases to the lyrics which help accentuate the original poem’s sarcastic tone.
“Anecdote” Unlike most of Parker’s poetry, this poem is reflective and somber. It describes the loss that is felt by not telling a romantic interest your true feelings until it is too late. Listen for…the reflective mood created by a quiet, repeating drum beat.
“Fair Weather” This song mirrors the poem’s changing moods. Written in two sections, it compares love to the sea. The first half describes a love that is calm and sweet. The second is stormy and reckless. Listen for…how the mood changes halfway through the music.
“Bric-a-Brac” Ernst’s music follows the meter of Parker’s poem about bric-a-brac, or little objects and knickknacks. Meter in poetry describes the rhythmical pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a verse. Listen for…how the melody’s rhythm sounds similar to the poem when it is read aloud.
“A Very Short Song” This poem compares having your heart broken with breaking someone’s heart. Listen for…how the combination of the piano and vocals set the mood.
Cover Photo by James Risley Parker, Dorothy, Photograph, from Britannica Online for Kids.
A writer, poet, and critic known for her sarcasm and quick wit, Dorothy Parker’s poetry often focuses on love and loss, but is often full of her trademark humor.
“But Not Forgotten” Ernst carefully chooses the instruments to express the mood and message of this poem: “Even if you break up with me, you’ll never be able to forget me.” Listen for…the grooving drum beat, a saxophone solo, and a complex keyboard part.
“The Last Question” Sung by two voices—one asking questions, the other answering them— this poem speaks about the doubts found in a new romantic relationship. Listen for…the musical device called a “canon,” or a “round” near the end of the piece, when questions and answers are sung at the same time.
Poetry and Music: About the Performance Meet jazz music’s triple-threat Katie Ernst, a bassist, vocalist, and composer who brings the poetry of 1920s American writer Dorothy Parker to life in the original program Little Words. Katie Ernst developed her passion for music at an early age, playing the double bass in her elementary school orchestra. Today, at only 26 years old, her unique musical sound blends a wide range of styles, including jazz, folk, indie, and rock.
The Concert Program Jazz and poetry are different art forms, but they have more in common than you might think. During Little Words, you will hear Ernst perform original music inspired by a medley of Dorothy Parker poems. She is joined on stage by band members Dustin Laurenzi (tenor saxophone), Stuart Mindeman (piano), and Andrew Green (drums).
“Two-Volume Novel” Ernst kicks off the program with this piece based on Parker’s short poem on unrequited love. Listen for…how Ernst adds her own sounds and phrases to the lyrics which help accentuate the original poem’s sarcastic tone.
“Anecdote” Unlike most of Parker’s poetry, this poem is reflective and somber. It describes the loss that is felt by not telling a romantic interest your true feelings until it is too late. Listen for…the reflective mood created by a quiet, repeating drum beat.
“Fair Weather” This song mirrors the poem’s changing moods. Written in two sections, it compares love to the sea. The first half describes a love that is calm and sweet. The second is stormy and reckless. Listen for…how the mood changes halfway through the music.
“Bric-a-Brac” Ernst’s music follows the meter of Parker’s poem about bric-a-brac, or little objects and knickknacks. Meter in poetry describes the rhythmical pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a verse. Listen for…how the melody’s rhythm sounds similar to the poem when it is read aloud.
“A Very Short Song” This poem compares having your heart broken with breaking someone’s heart. Listen for…how the combination of the piano and vocals set the mood.
Cover Photo by James Risley Parker, Dorothy, Photograph, from Britannica Online for Kids.
A writer, poet, and critic known for her sarcasm and quick wit, Dorothy Parker’s poetry often focuses on love and loss, but is often full of her trademark humor.
“But Not Forgotten” Ernst carefully chooses the instruments to express the mood and message of this poem: “Even if you break up with me, you’ll never be able to forget me.” Listen for…the grooving drum beat, a saxophone solo, and a complex keyboard part.
“The Last Question” Sung by two voices—one asking questions, the other answering them— this poem speaks about the doubts found in a new romantic relationship. Listen for…the musical device called a “canon,” or a “round” near the end of the piece, when questions and answers are sung at the same time.
After the first jazz recordings were made in 1917, jazz spread across the nation. It evolved over decades, helped along by influential musicians. In the 1920s, trumpeter Louis Armstrong introduced improvised solos and Duke Ellington popularized big band jazz; in the 1930s, people began dancing to jazz music, thanks to the upbeat sounds of Benny Goodman’s and Count Basie’s swing music. Charlie Parker’s groundbreaking bebop of the 1940s led to Miles Davis’ complex “cool” style in the 1950s. Jazz moved into the 1960s with pioneers like John Coltrane and his modal jazz; the next decades brought more change—from fusion, which brought together multiple styles, to the neo-classical leanings of Wynton Marsalis and other “young lions.” Jazz continues to evolve today—building on its vast legacy of innovation and experimentation.
Deborah F. Rutter President Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education and Jazz Programming Jason Moran Artistic Director for Jazz Discovery Artists in the KC Jazz Club are supported by The King-White Family Foundation, Dr. J. Douglas White, and The Argus Fund. Jazz Performance/Demonstrations are made possible by Kaplan, Inc.; Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; and the U.S. Department of Education. Major support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program. Education and related artistic programs are made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.
www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org Cuesheets are produced by ArtsEdge, an education program of the Kennedy Center. Learn more about Education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education The contents of this Cuesheet have been
Listen Up! To learn more about jazz visit www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge and click the tag “jazz”
developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. © 2014 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Katie Ernst
Little Words
Performance Guide
Jazz is a truly 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 also 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.
David M. Rubenstein Chairman
Cuesheet
Jazz: An Evolving Art Form
A Performance and Demonstration