Gordon takes a look at the life and work of American jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer Kenny Dorham. His vast catalog includes almost twenty records as a leader and hundreds more as a sideman.

Gordon takes a look at the life and works of jazz composer, arranger, and pianist Tadd Dameron. Inspired equally by George Gershwin and Duke Ellington, Dameron made a name for himself as one of the premier arrangers in jazz from the late-1940s through the early 1960s.

By the late 1950s, the emergence of free jazz isolated much of the public and began to fall out of favor as rock music began winning the hearts of listeners worldwide. During that time, musicians in England began experimenting not only with the blues, but also with elements of jazz.

Although Jamal is not necessarily a household name, he is considered by many to be one of the most important figures in jazz music in the last 50 years and has been cited by many major figures including Miles Davis who recorded many of Jamal’s arrangements.

Gordon continues his look at how jazz works by showing the evolution of popular jazz styles throughout the decades showing how a melody as simple as Just a Closer Walk with Thee can be given a different mood based on style and rhythm.

Gordon presents another edition of “How Jazz Works,” this time taking a look at the role of the drummer and bassist that provide the foundation and roots for jazz bands.  Joining Dr. Vernick for this episode are Justin Varnes, a professor of jazz drumming at Georgia State University and bass instructor Robert Dickson. Aside from simply taking a look at the role of these instruments, both Varnes and Dickson take a look at the history and evolution of the respective instruments.