Jazz 101

Day & Time: Fridays, 10am - 12noon
Start Date: September 26, 2025
Instructor(s): Ben Young
Location: Vermont Jazz Center

Jazz 101 is a basic introductory course on Jazz. The purpose is to demystify the music. We train our ears on

how the music works;
what to listen for; and
where it’s coming from—in history and in American society.

All are welcome: The course addresses fundamental issues in simplest terms. It’s geared toward absolute beginners, though it has a depth and scope that will also benefit musicians and advanced listeners. The course is recommended for adults, college and high school students, and even middle schoolers who already have a preliminary engagement with the music.

Jazz 101 unfolds in eight weekly sessions of two hours each. We walk through the major issues of Jazz history, listening and discussing key examples from the recordings, and telling the stories of the people and circumstances that led to its progress.

There are no tests, no paper to write, no student presentation to make, and no one will call on you in class. No roll call either: We all get more out of attending the full run of the course, but there’s no penalty if you can’t make every session. There’s no homework assigned, but you’ll be guided toward supplemental listening to augment—if you choose—the lessons we go over during class time. Most important is to have a good time and discover some music you’ll enjoy.

Registration is not required, but if you would like to reserve your seat, click the button below.