Lesson 8: Just Listen

When you are studying jazz, the best thing to do is listen to records or listen to live music. It isn't as though you go to a teacher. You just listen as much as you can and absorb everything.

Carla Bley

Lesson 7: If All Else Fails...Wing It!

The thing to judge in any jazz artist is, does the man project and does he have ideas.

Miles Davis

Lesson 6: Making Your Own Sound

By and large, jazz has always been like the kind of a man you wouldn't want your daughter to associate with.

Duke Ellington

Lesson 5: Be Nice to the Man in Charge

Writing is like jazz. It can be learned, but it can't be taught.

Paul Desmond

Isaiah Allen, senior jazz studies major 

Lesson 4: Getting Down to Business

Prof. Fredrick Irby III and the Howard Jazz Ensemble 

That's the thing about jazz: it's free flowing, it comes from your soul.

Billy Crystal

Lesson 3: Life Is More Complex Than Chopsticks

Boxing is like jazz. The better it is, the less people appreciate it.

George Foreman

Lesson 2: Instruments Are Your Friends

Jazz is not the kind of music you are going to learn to play in three or four years or that you can just get because you have some talent for music.

Wynton Marsalis

Lesson 1: What Is Jazz?

What is jazz? It, It's almost like asking, What is French? Jazz is a musical language. It's a musical dialect that actually embodies the spirit of America.

Branford Marsalis

In a jazz atmosphere, the audience members were so quiet and respectful of the musicians that you felt you were almost part of a meeting at a church or a temple, where everyone was completely in tune with the sermon and what the whole event was about. 

- David Amram

Essence of Jazz

Washington, D.C. has a strong history of jazz. Many artists, clubs and records were inspired by the cultural distinctiveness of the nations capital. From the historic U Street to the urban neighborhood of LeDroit Park, D.C. has its roots in a genre of music that is ever present. 

Howard University also shares some of this history, with some of the greatest jazz musicians being taught there. 

My inspiration for this project came from my love of jazz, my love of Howard and an appreciation for the training ground by which many musicians were formed. What you will see, throughout these photos, are the many colors and sounds that make up the essence of jazz in and around Howard University. 

Enjoy!