World-class clarinettist Emma Johnson will be talking about ‘The Age of Jazz’ at the next AsinMalta public lecture, being held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, St Julian’s, on February 26 at 6.30pm.
At the end of the 19th century, New Orleans was a busy port welcoming ships and sailors from all over the world bringing with them many diverse styles of music. It was also one of the few places in the US where the music of the slave population was not just tolerated but openly enjoyed by black and white communities alike.
In this Creole community, it was not long before a kaleidoscope of musical traditions would come together, react and evolve into an exciting new music which would revolutionise and democratise culture, namely jazz.
During the talk, Johnson will look at the role African blues and cakewalk, American classical and vaudeville, Latin American dance and Middle Eastern klezmer played in the story of jazz.
The talk will be infused with music from jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington.
With 30 CDs to her name, Johnson is one of the few clarinettists to have performed as a soloist all over the world. She also enjoys giving talks about music and composers.
Johnson studied music and English at Pembroke College, Cambridge University, where she was the first woman to be made an honorary fellow. She was honoured by the queen with an MBE in 1996.
Her charity, the Emma Johnson Music Foundation, gives workshops in primary schools to introduce children to instrumental music.
The February 26 lecture will start at 6.30pm. Doors will open at 6pm with registration and welcome drink. Members of the society attend for free, while entrance for non-members is €15. For more information and registration, e-mail nicole at mem.asinmalta@theartssociety.org or call +356 9989 1006.
