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The dissertation researches the contemporary jazz vocalist Kurt Elling. His background, performing career and successes are explored before his artistry as a performer and pedagogue are examined in detail. A personal Skype lesson and a personal interview form part of the research material. Elling’s improvisatory art and his relationship with and opinions on scatting, and especially jazz vocalese are portrayed. To this end the author’s transcription of Elling’s vocalese based on Downtown (by Russel Ferrante) is included. Elling’s influence, creativity, spirituality and infusion of poetry into jazz are also investigated in order to show how he inspires audiences and students alike. The history of, and general descriptions of various jazz vocal styles are traced, whereafter the situation regarding the jazz vocal scene in South Africa is outlined. Local jazz vocal teaching in particular, and associated problems are discussed, and recommendations made. The author utilises her background as an accomplished performer and teacher to infuse these discussions with personal insights. Elling’s opinions on how cultural and ethnic differences can inspire South African jazz vocalists are also delineated. / Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmchunu2014 / Music / unrestricted

In this bachelor thesis, I am exploring vocal improvisation through analysis of three different scatsolos. I am reflecting on rhythmic, melodic and harmonic elements. I am also learning and writing Vocalese for all scatsolos. My ambition was to improve as an improviser. I am presenting some methods which have been useful in order to master the jazz vocabulary found in the scatsolos. I have also been recording with an ensemble while singing my own written Vocaleses. In the last part of the thesis, I have concluded that the three chosen scatsolos are different from each other. One include more arpeggios, while another contains more chromatic. One is more improvised “outside” the chord changes while another is more improvised “inside” the changes. Furthermore, I have concluded that learning and analyzing solos has resulted in a clear vision of how the chosen exercises can be helpful for me as an improviser. The exercises are presented in contexts that motivates their function. I think Call and response is the most effective way to develop improvisation skills. Moreover I conclude that writing my own Vocaleses made the process of learning the solos more motivating and profound since I used my own creativity!