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Canadians have influenced music of all kinds, including jazz. Significant jazz events have happened in Canada, and Canadian jazz musicians have had illustrious, significant careers. Students will examine Canadian contributions to jazz in this activity which is best suited to senior-level students of History, Social Studies, English, or Music who may already have some background in Canadian history or cultural studies.

Divide the class into groups. Students will prepare and present a multi-media report about Canadian contributions to the world of contemporary jazz, focusing on the careers of specific musicians and performers, some significant events in jazz history that occurred in Canada, and the impact of jazz as a musical idiom and cultural form on various parts of Canada in different historical periods. Each group should research one of the following topics:

1. Montreal’s role as a jazz centre (1930s-50s)/Early jazz musicians and performers in Canada
2. Canadians in the “big band” era of jazz (1930s-40s)
3. Oscar Peterson’s duo and trio (1950s)
4. American influences on jazz in Canada, and Canadian influences on American jazz
5. The career and significance of one of the following Canadian jazz performers: Gil Evans (composer-arranger), Paul Bley (piano), Maynard Ferguson (trumpet), Kenny Wheeler (trumpet), Renee Rosnes (piano), Diana Krall (vocals, piano), Sonny Greenwich (guitar), Lenny Breau (guitar), Jim Galloway (sax), Don Thompson (bass, piano), Rob McConnell (trombone), Phil Nimmons (clarinet), Jane Bunnett (sax, flute) Michael Snow (composer-arranger), Moe Koffman (clarinet, saxophone, flute)
6. The 1953 Massey Hall “Greatest” Jazz Concert (Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, Max Roach)
7. Free and experimental jazz in Canada today/jazz clubs and venues in Canadian cities

Have each group make its presentation to the class. After all groups have presented, create a master list of important names and terms relating to Canada’s contribution to the world of jazz. Ask students what they learned about this topic from the research they conducted, and what their ideas are regarding jazz as a musical idiom and cultural phenomenon in Canada today.

Interested students could pursue research on one or more of the musicians, performers, and other jazz-related figures, listening to more of their music, and preparing a brief report on it.