Tuesday, March 20, 3pm
Sala Quetzal, Relox 50A
$100

Introduction to Singing Jazz Standards - talk

By Whitney Smith
The term ‘jazz singing’ largely refers to the singing of popular songs of the 1920s-
1950s, also know as the Great American songbook. Though conceived as popular songs
for Broadway musicals, Hollywood films and the hit parade, their celebration by jazz
musicians made them into what we now call ‘jazz standards.’ (Roughly, we might
estimate that there are about 300+ commonly played jazz standards, with the list
growing every year.)

So what does this mean for someone who can hold a tune and wants to embrace this
musical genre?

First, if you are singing a jazz standard you are usually being accompanied by musicians
who play jazz, and part of the deal is that they will get to do what they like do — to play
a solo over the song’s chord progression when you aren’t singing. So to sing this type of
repertoire you need to know how to communicate about the song you’re singing with
musicians who have spent 5-10 years learning their craft.

Second, to enjoy the privilege of singing a jazz standard for your friends or the general
public, you need to understand certain things about each song you sing: key, ‘form’,
lead sheet, your ‘book’ (of repertoire). Clearly there’s a lot of work involved in learning
the craft, but once you do it you’ll realize it’s one of the most rewarding challenges you
will ever have taken on.

And that’s just the craft. The art of singing jazz standards, or any kind of melody with
lyric, is another story altogether.

The lecture is divided into two parts, craft and art, and to demonstrate his points
Whitney sings parts of songs (with some sing-a- long), accompanying himself on guitar.
This is an informative and enjoyable self-contained presentation, while also giving a
glimpse of what can be learned in his Jazz Singing Clinic, April 13-15.