Jazz, Mind, Brain

If you haven’t heard of the Columbia Center for Jazz Studies, that’s a shame, but we can’t be too disappointed in you. After all, the center is still relatively new. It was founded in 1999 and, since then, it has been integrated into the Core Curriculum at Columbia College. That means a lot of College students are getting exposed to music that isn’t exactly topping the charts nowadays. But the Center for Jazz Studies takes a more broad view of the genre than one might initially think. Courses at the center look at jazz as it relates to technology, community, innovation, and even neurology. It’s that last approach that you’re going to hear about in this episode. You’re going to hear vibraphonist Stefon Harris demonstrate jazz improvisation as it relates to issues of mind-brain coordination and creativity. You’re also going to periodically hear questions posed by Columbia professor of neuroscience, Michael Shadlen. To find out about upcoming events from The Columbia Center for Jazz Studies, visit jazz.columbia.edu.