Young musicians and classic styles - Module 6

B2 First · Multiple Matching · First Expert Coursebook, Pearson Education

You are going to read an article about young musicians who are well known for music that was popular in their parents' or grandparents' day. For questions 1–10, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.

A Jamie Cullum

When Jamie Cullum was a teenager, music was his hobby and he worked his way through college doing every kind of gig possible - weddings, cruise liners, parties - and playing in every band going from heavy metal to freestyle hip hop. Backed by experienced professionals on double bass and drums, the charismatic vocalist and pianist brings a contemporary approach to jazz. 'What I'm doing isn't pure jazz. Pop, rock, dance, hip hop - everything gets thrown together.' He covers heroes of his own generation like Coldplay and Radiohead, as well as those of the past by doing jazzy new interpretations of their songs but also writes songs of his own with modern themes in old styles. A gifted but self-taught performer, Cullum provokes extremes of love and loathing amongst record buyers and jazz purists.

B Michael Buble

Michael Buble has gone from strength to strength since he achieved over a million worldwide sales for his first album of old dance band favourites from the 1930s and '40s. He discovered swing through his Italian grandfather. 'While I was growing up, this music would be everywhere. Of course, I heard modern stuff too but there wasn't enough melody for me. Swing is all about rhythm. When I was growing up, kids weren't given any choice, so this was my rebellion. I like rap, pop and R&B but for too long there's only been room for that and nothing else.'

C Katie Melua

At the age of 19, Katie Melua spent most of the year at number one in the charts. Her music is not easily categorised but she laughs at the idea that she is conservative. 'If everyone else was doing jazz, blues and folk in the charts, then you could accuse me of this. But everyone's doing R&B and hip hop.' Haven't some of her contemporaries accused her of being a little unexciting? 'OK, it happens not to be hip and cool but I'm not suddenly going to get an electric guitar out just to attract the kids. Perhaps my music appeals to an older generation because I myself listen to artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Dylan and Eva Cassidy. When I heard Cassidy's Over the Rainbow, it opened my eyes because it sounded old-fashioned but also fresh and new.' So would she ever consider using her fame to write a song about the wrongs of the world, as Dylan did? 'I already have. This kind of protest can be a powerful tool with young people and it's been neglected in the current popular charts.'

D Marcella Puppini

Being in a band which does cover versions of old songs is rarely cool or glamorous but Marcella Puppini includes supermodel Kate Moss amongst her famous fans. Marcella met the other two Puppini Sisters at the Royal College of Music, where they followed a traditional course in singing and learnt to play various instruments, including the piano, saxophone, violin, harp and accordion. All accomplished musicians, in 2004 they decided to turn the clock back 60 years to form a three-part harmony group. As well as creating up-to-date interpretations of favourites from the 1940s, they also translate 'modern' songs and reinterpret them in the 1940s style. Helped by the present vogue for all things retro, they have achieved a cult following in the coolest, trendiest clubs and festivals in the UK, wearing clothes and make-up in keeping with the songs they sing.

Feels nothing like teen spirit

The albums chart is filled with some of the least offensive music ever made and rock critics are wondering whatever happened to youthful rebellion, as embodied by punk rock. The stars of easy listening see things differently.

is globally very successful?

has a celebrity following?

has had a wide and varied experience of performing live?

likes to dress up when doing a show?

admits to not being fashionable with younger fans?

plays music which is a mixture of different genres?

was trained as a classical musician?

uses music as a political message?

receives a mixed reaction from music lovers?

wanted to offer an alternative to the usual music on offer?

Which musician

Available as a free printable PDF worksheet with an optional answer key.

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