An analysis of the improvisational style of Booker Little. Introduction ; Biographical sketch ; Musical characteristics, sound and rhythmic approach ; Musical characteristics, melodic approach ; Conclusion -- We speak / Booker Little. / text

Thesis (D.M.A.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1998. / Vita. Discography: 139-141. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-144). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Appendix A includes annotated transcriptions of trumpet solos as performed by Williams, Stewart, and Nance on RCA Victor recordings of the Duke Ellington Band, 1940-1942. Includes bibliographic references (p. 71-73).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University. / Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Robert Pace. Dissertation Committee: Craig Timberlake. Bibliography: leaves 54-61.

During the mid 1960s, record producers and jazz critics coined the phrase Sidewinder Syndrome to describe the funky style of music popularized through the success of Lee Morgan's solo release of "Sidewinder. The funky style, rooted in the heart of the hard bop period (1955-1965), united jazz, Latin influences, and popular black traditions such as gospel and urban blues. Lee Morgan (1938-1973), composer of "Sidewinder," and Richard "Blue" Mitchell (1930-1979) were two prolific trumpet artists from this time period who embraced the Sidewinder Syndrome, and as a result provided a rich improvisational vocabulary, as it pertains to trumpet performance practice. This study presents six annotated transcriptions from each artist focusing on elements of jazz vocabulary and solo construction.The study reveals vocabulary and solo construction preferences within the Sidewinder Syndrome. Results indicated the three most common harmonic generalization elements were digital patterns, change-running, and the bar-line shift. Complex harmonic generalization elements included bebop scale, 3-b9 movement, linear chromaticism, and tri-tone substitution / altered dominant. Vocal inflections derived from gospel music and urban blues were the half-valve, grace note, alternate fingerings, note bending, and fall. Bebop influenced articulation included upbeat-to-downbeat articulation and ghost note. Bebop influenced ornamentation included the two-sixteenth note ornament and the turn. Results suggest solo construction relied heavily upon the sequencing of rhythmic and melodic motives. Space was utilized for clarity, new concepts, and octave displacement. Developmental concepts included running eighth and sixteenth note lines. This study provides an opportunity for students of improvisation to isolate and study jazz vocabulary and solo construction of the Sidewinder Syndrome. / School of Music

The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of jazz trumpeter Chet Baker's improvisational style, both instrumental and vocal, during the early period of his career (1952-1959). Baker's early years were divided into six periods, based on major milestones: The Charlie Parker Groups (1952-1953), The Gerry Mulligan Quartet and Tentette (1952-1953), The Chet Baker Quartets (1953-1956), The European Groups (1955-1956), Quartets, Quintets, and Sextets (1956-1957), and The Riverside Recordings (1958-1959). Improvised lines and chord changes from fifteen solos were transcribed and analyzed by the researcher; melodies of standard songs were transcribed and compared with the original version. The number of solos selected from each period was based on the length of time Baker spent with each particular group and the number of albums recorded. The solos were analyzed in terms of rhythmic interpretation of melodies, intervals utilized, use of nonharmonic tones, use of jazz cliches, embellishment of the melodic line, use of melodic and rhythmic patterns, range, tone quality, articulation, vibrato, and vocal scat syllables. As a result of this analysis, the researcher was able to draw conclusions concerning Baker's improvisational style during the period of the study. / School of Music