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To register for courses, please go to Lifelong Learning website: Boca Raton Jupiter Music Americana: The Twentieth Century DESCRIPTION: In addition to the wars, booms, depressions, celebrations, innovations, new freedoms and social changes of a historic time, popular music, and especially American popular music—emerged as an important part of modern culture in the 20th century. From the origins of jazz as dance, to Otis Blackwell, whose tunes made Elvis famous; from the Andrews Sisters’ vocal acrobatics to the quiet musings of Simon & Garfunkel; from Otis Redding’s “Dock of the Bay” to the Africa of Disney’s Lion King, great artists create the sound of their times. Whether from songs for dancing, working, singing along, falling in love or making history, they weave a world that sings through the years. This series will examine the work, biographies and enduring importance of these legendary musical artists, and attempt to sort myth from reality with videos, excerpts from feature films, live performances, and a few surprises. EIGHT LECTURES: 1. The Beginning: Scott Joplin; Fats Waller; Paul Whiteman 2. The Songwriters: Irving Berlin; Arlen & Mercer; Otis Blackwell 3. The Voices: Andrews Sisters; Mills Brothers; Ink Spots 4. The Singers: Sarah Vaughn; Mel Torme; KD Lang 5. Another America: Chet Atkins; BB King; Otis Redding 6. The Modern Vocalist: Whitney Houston; Mariah Carey 7. In Fields of Gold: Simon & Garfunkel; Sting 8. The Music of Disney: Fantasia; Mary Poppins; The Lion King
Biographical Information: Rod MacDonald began his career as a singer/songwriter in Greenwich Village in New York City in 1973. He has 21 songs in the Smithsonian Folkways collection and nine solo CDs, including 2011 releases "Songs Of Freedom" and "Dylan Jam +2" with Big Brass Bed. He performs at festivals and in clubs and concerts locally and throughout North America and Europe, and was named Best Local Acoustic Performer in Broward and Palm Beach counties by New Times, and one of the Ten Magnificent Musicians of Palm Beach County by the Palm Beach Post. An instructor with LLS since 2006, his previous series include Folksinging in Modern Times, The Great American Songbook, The Roots of Rock & Roll, and The Magic Of Song. |
THE SONGS OF THE 1960s
LLS Performance Lecture 12/15 (Boca Raton),
1/9 (Jupiter) with Rod MacDonald & the Humdingers The 1960s was a decade of great social and musical change, famous for its protests and British rock and roll; of no less interest were the arrivals of The Twist and dance crazes, the Beachboys and surf music, girl groups, Ray Charles and soul, Motown, Streisand, west coast pop, and novelty, psychedelic, patriotic and poetic songs, new and exciting sounds. Join Rod MacDonald & the Humdingers for a fresh perspective on The Music Of The 1960s, a fun and low-decibel tour through the characters, favorite songs and genius of the folksingers, songwriters, rock and rollers, teen pop stars, veteran and future superstars of this unique decade. Rod MacDonald & The Humdingers: Rod MacDonald, guitar, has ten CDs of his songs, including 2011’s Songs Of Freedom, as heard on WLRN’s Folk and Acoustic Music. He performs frequently in South Florida and throughout North America and Europe, and is a lifelong devotee of popular song. He has been an instructor with LLS since 2006. Bill Meredith, drums, is the backbone of several Palm Beach County rock and roll bands, including Big Brass Bed and Illumination. He has toured throughout the US and Canada, and appears on more than a dozen CDs. Stan Silverman, piano, studied classical music and theory at the New England Conservatory of Music and the Philadelphia Music Academy, but is better known for his work with the jazz bands Hook and The Johnny Panks Band. Doug Lindsey, bass and vocals, has been playing in south Florida bands for 30 years. John Smotherman, lead guitar, plays with Big Brass Bed, Illumination and several Palm Beach County bands. His exquisite solos caused the Palm Beach Post to label him one of the “Ten Magnificent Musicians of Palm Beach County.” Where:
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