I know nothing about jazz, but a good friend of mine is a jazz musician and I've liked what I've heard (he brings me music to listen to on occasion).

So, for my birthday, I was given a CD set entitled "Elements of Jazz: From Cakewalks to Fusion" taught by Professor Bill Messenger, Peabody Conservatory of Music. A musician himself for many years, he seems to know his stuff.

There are explanatory notes to go along with the lectures, but the heart of the program is the music itself. I've gotten to the section on Blues (I took a whole semester of Blues music years ago, so this part is familiar). We've already done Cakewalks and Ragtime.

I owe a big thank-you to my friend Dan Gent for sharing with me jazz and other music that he thought I'd like.

Now, back to the music...