Either I post here or in Viva Piano....

I have been asked to play some jazz (piano) at a school prom in a couple months. I have never really attempted jazz apart from ABRSM graded syllabuses (syllibi ?). I am not quite sure the character of jazz since I'm mostly a classical player. Obviously it is different, but I want to know how much jazz playing differs from classical. When I watch recordings, it seems to me that there is strict timing and yet it sometimes sounds lazy.

Bit of: Gershwin: I got rythmn, Novlette in fourths (grade 8 syllabus), some preludes.

And other similar (I hope I am correct) stuff like ragtime

American patrol, and some Joplin.

Thanks

for what it's worth my advice would be...

listen to as much jazz as you can - preferably different people playing the same pieces. Ask yourself which you like best? why? what did they do that sounded good? can you play it like that? (even if only a phrase or two.)

is the underlying pulse steady or not, even if the tune sounds "lazy" on top of it? does it vary between different styles - ragtime, Thelonius Monk?

if you are playing from written music then it is not too difficult to try different interpretations of the notes and see which you like best. Unless you are deliberately trying to play like a particular person then jazz is all about your feelings and interpretation.

good luck and have fun! I hope this has helped a little.

What a great idea!
Just remember that if you play Ragtime, don't play it too fast. Scott Joplin always requested a moderate pace.
Always feel relaxed when playing Gershwin etc. Play the main theme straight to begin with and then try to improvise on the melody based on the left hand chords.
Good luck!

I started playing jazz about 5 years ago after spending years as a 'classical' student of music. As I understand it, to play jazz (and I don't just mean playing music that has a jazz style) is a completely different and in many respects antithetical musical culture. Its great to be a technically good classical player when you play jazz but for me at least it was rather like learning to play music all over again.

I shouldn't worry about it too much. Chances are most people won't be able to tell whether it sounds authentic or not!