This paper is about my process of composing and performing music inspired by The Great American Songbook. Doing this via tools acquired by analyzing the works from composers like Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Arthur Johnston and other composers from that era. I have analyzed and found common associations with form and harmony, the use of melodic content and often used clichés which I have incorporated in my own composing. It also deals with my progress to arrange and rehearse the music to present it in form of a concert at The Royal College of Music on the 6thof March 2020. I reflect about the process of composing and if I achieved the same level of freedom playing my compositions as I have playing jazz standards. I come to the conclusion that I feel as confident performing these tunes as I do music from The Great American Songbook. / <p>Medverkande på konserten: Björn Bäckström (tenorsaxofon), Erik Tengholm (trumpet), Lars Ullberg (trombon), Jonny Ek (piano), Uno Dvärby (kontrabas), Jakob Bylund (trummor). Till uppsatsen bifogas inspelningar och partitur på mina egna kompositioner som är kopplade till arbetet: It's Time, Diminished Results, You can't keep this up, Midnight mood, Oh sweet Olivia och Dortmund Express. Även bifogas inspelning på Don't Get Around Much Anymore, skriven av Duke Ellington, som framförts vid konserttillfället. </p>

While the concept of teaching jazz style to vocal students is not a new one, previous materials written on the subject have not addressed two important aspects of this process. One is the concept of selecting jazz vocal solo repertoire that is both musically and vocally purposeful and appropriate for the student. The other is how to teach stylistic concepts that will apply to both current repertoire as well as songs the student will learn in the future. This doctoral essay provides both a categorized list of solo jazz vocal repertoire as well as strategies for introducing stylistic elements of jazz into the private-lesson setting. Through a systematic analysis of jazz vocal standards, a list of repertoire selections was categorized by rhythmic style, melodic range, melodic harmony, melodic rhythm, and harmonic content. In addition, the stylistic need to add syncopations to swing songs with non-syncopated melodies was addressed. Suggestions are included on how to implement this categorized list in the music selection process for students. Furthermore, this essay provides jazz voice teachers with strategies to efficiently incorporate important aspects of jazz styles such as rhythmic feel, song form, improvisation, and harmony into the lesson setting. By showing connections between these concepts and the literature that is being taught, students can become more competent and confident within the vocal and stylistic elements of the jazz idiom.