Jazz, Race, and American Society

Simpson Colloquium 101

In this course, students will explore the often-fraught relationship between blacks and whites in the realms of economics, society, and the arts. Jazz music will be used to highlight the challenges black musicians have faced in these three realms from about 1900 to the present day. The true history of “America’s music” is deeply interwoven with the complicated and tragic history of relations between these two races. We will explore how jazz music (and the art form’s development over time) has been influenced by the realities of each period. All interested students are welcome: no prior experience in music performance, jazz or otherwise, is required.

Meet Your Professor
Dave Camwell, D.M.A.
Associate Professor of MusicDave Camwell

Dr. Dave Camwell is a distinguished, versatile and dynamic performer. He has been a Yamaha Performing Artist since 2004, a Rico Artist since 2009, and currently serves as Associate Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at Simpson College, Indianola, IA.

Camwell has received degrees from the University of Calgary (B.Mus, dual degree in Jazz Studies and Education, in collaboration with Jacksonville State University), the University of Northern Colorado (M.Mus, dual degree in Performance and Education), and the University of Oregon (D.M.A in Performance with a secondary emphasis in Jazz Studies).

Since 2008, Camwell has released three CDs on the Innova and Teal Creek labels – Aeterna (2008), Bach-Centric (2010), and the eponymous Oasis Quartet (2011). Each of these CDs has garnered considerable critical acclaim. In July, 2011, Camwell performed in Taiwan with the Xplorium Chamber Ensemble. He has also performed with Orchestra Iowa and New York Central City Chorus, and at the colleges and universities of North Texas, Stephen F. Austin, Illinois, Cincinnati (CCM), Oregon, Western Oregon, Southern Oregon, Iowa, North Dakota State, Concordia (MN), Jamestown (ND), Graceland (IA), Northern Iowa and Manitoba. He performs regularly at the regional and national conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance and performed at both the 14th and 15th World Saxophone Congresses in Slovenia (2006) and Thailand (2009). In May, 2009, Camwell’s performance of works by J.S. Bach was twice featured on American Public Media’s nationally broadcast radio program, Performance Today.

Current projects include performing and recording with the Oasis Quartet with James Romain, Nathan Nabb, and James Bunte. Please visit Dr. Camwell’s website at: http://www.davecamwell.com/.

Meet Your Simpson Colloquium Leader
Katelyn McKone5Katelyn.McKone

Hi!  My name is Katelyn McKone and I will be a senior this fall at Simpson.  In high school I was quite the band geek, and that certainly hasn’t changed, as I am now a Music Education major with the hopes of becoming a high school band director.  I play saxophone and play in the saxophone quartet, symphonic band, and importantly for this class I play lead alto in the jazz ensemble and jazz combo.  I play other instruments such as clarinet, flute, and percussion.  I am involved in Simpson’s music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon, the Simpson chapter of the Iowa Bandmaster’s Association, and I currently serve as the Undergraduate Assistant for the Instrumental music department.  I am very involved in music at Simpson, but in my free time I like to go out with friends and I enjoy movies, going out to eat, and going to on-campus events, especially recitals.  

Jazz is my favorite genre of music, and I have a lot of experience playing jazz and have studied the history of the genre, and I am very interested in the evolution of jazz and its relation to race and society. I am very excited to share this enthusiasm as well as learn more about this time period through this course.  

The transition into college can be scary, but I have had the most amazing time at Simpson and I can’t wait to help show the way to new students!

 

Meet Your Writing Fellow
Lindsey Stubbs5Lindsey

 Hi, my name is Lindsey Stubbs and I am going to be the Writing Fellow with Katelyn Mckone in Dr. Camwell’s  A Race Relations and the History of Jazz. I come from Underwood, Iowa (South and west and almost to Nebraska). I participated in band, choir, musicals, and marching band. Here at Simpson, I’m a double Music and English major. I’m involved in the work study at the library, comic book club, college choir, and the Sequel. 

 I guess if there’s one thing about me that I should tell you about me it’s that I really. love. movies. My favorite is probably The Avengers, which also coincidentally began my interested in collecting comic books (my favorite series is Hawkeye by Matt Fraction. Genius.) My favorite TV show right now is probably Supernatural or Doctor Who. Along with TV shows and movie franchises, I love reading and fiction writing. Don’t ask me who  my favorite author is, because I will dissolve into a puddle of indecision. 

 I can’t wait to meet you all in the Fall! Simpson College is full of great opportunities and amazing activities, and I know you’ll enjoy these next few years here!