The Master’s Recital recorded on the compact disc that accompanies this paper presents seven compositions. Five of them are my own, and two are my arrangements of compositions by musicians that I admire. The paper includes scores of the original compositions and arrangements, as well as program notes that offer historical background, summaries of the form, and observations on performance practice for each selection. My goal is to demonstrate to jazz devotees and to music lovers in general the capabilities of the steel pan instrument within a jazz combo setting. Each composition exploits the full range of challenges the percussionist faces in a jazz combo performance. I explore different stylistic approaches and musical concepts that enable a high level of improvised musical performance on an instrument that is relatively new to jazz.

MAAS / Department of Music.

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.

Vince Guaraldi (1928-1976) was a jazz pianist who achieved tremendous financial and commercial success in the 1960s with his popular recordings and his work for the Peanuts animated shorts. He cultivated a musical style that drew from several identifiable sources: boogie-woogie, bebop, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban jazz, and rock ‘n' roll. The result was a distinct approach to jazz which, although it may not have been as influential as that of some of his contemporaries, nevertheless constituted a unique and personal voice—what several commentators have referred to as the "Guaraldi sound." This dissertation considers the entire range of Guaraldi's recorded output in order to define and catalog many elements that contributed to Guaraldi's musical style. Using an analytical framework drawn from the work of Leonard Meyer and Benjamin Givan, this study describes both Guaraldi's improvisational style—the licks, patterns, and phrases that he plays while soloing—and common elements of his compositions—the chord progressions, grooves, and other features that are particularly idiomatic. Also discussed are Guaraldi's status within the established jazz canon and the disparity between his widespread popularity and his lukewarm critical reputation. The discussion and analyses provide useful insights for fans of Guaraldi, fans of Peanuts music, jazz musicologists, and any seeking to emulate the Guaraldi sound.

This study develops a method for analyzing jazz piano music, primarily focusing on the era 1935-1950. The method is based on axiomatic concepts of jazz harmony, such as the circle of fifths and root position harmonies. 7-10 motion between root and chordal seventh seems to be the driving force in jazz motion. The concept of tritone substitution leads to the idea of a harmonic level, i.e., a harmony's distance from the tonic. With this method in hand, various works of music are analyzed, illustrating that all harmonic motion can be labelled into one of three categories. The ultimate goal of this analytic method is to illustrate the fundamental harmonic line which serves as the harmonic framework from which the jazz composer builds.

This paper is divided into two broad sections. The first section traces the life and career of John Graas through an examination of the contents of the John Graas Memorabilia and Memorial Library, which contains photo albums, newspaper clippings, records and tapes, approximately one hundred original compositions, and personal correspondence between the author and people who knew and worked with Graas.The second section is an examination and discussion of Graas's original compositions. This discussion traces Graas's compositional development and growth as an acknowledged jazz composer through the melodic analysis of selected original compositions.Findings1. John Graas was a classically-schooled horn player who studied with Max Pottag and Wilhelm Valkanier, and performed with the Indianapolis and Cleveland orchestras.2. He was best known for being the first horn player to achieve prominence in the jazz field. Graas acquired his jazz skills first as a performer with Thornhill, Beneke, and Kenton, and later as a composition student of Lennie Tristano, Shorty Rogers and Dr. Wesley LaViolette. 3. Numbering over one-hundred compositions, Graas’ works range from standard to innovative works for various-sized ensembles, including works for solo horn, solo piano, a television score, and his Jazz Symphony #1, written for full symphony orchestra and nine-piece jazz ensemble.Conclusions1. Graas was acknowledged as the first horn player to achieve prominence in the field of jazz, as recognized by such top, jazz polls as Down Beat, Metronome, and Playboy, from 1955 to 1961.2. His early improvisations helped to open the jazz field to future jazz hornists: Watkins, Amram, Ruff, Varner.3. Graas showed true pioneer spirit by working hard to expand limits placed on the horn by classical tradition, in order to reach a new and different standard of performance. / School of Music

Despite a widely held view that serialism is incompatible with jazz improvisation, there are many instances of jazz musicians successfully engaging with this concept. This conflict seems likely to have arisen from differing interpretations of ‘serialism’; however, the question of how a jazz improviser’s approach to serialism might, or perhaps should, differ from a classical composer’s, has been left unasked. In addition, most attempts at the use of serialism within improvisation remain undocumented by the musicians concerned. The chord stranding techniques of Lutoslawski are less well known and less controversial than serialism. Connections between Lutoslawski’s twelve-note chords and traditional twelve-note rows are obvious, as are connections between the concept of harmonic ‘strands’ and the jazz harmonic device of superimposition. The possibilities for use of Lutoslawski’s ideas within a jazz context are interesting and worthy of consideration. This research project involves the composition and performance of jazz pieces applying serialism and chord stranding, as well as the exploration of precedents for these ideas within the jazz tradition. The four CD recordings within this thesis present the initial development of these concepts (CDs 1 and 2); an exploration of serialism in the music of John Coltrane (CD 3); and an album of original material demonstrating the integrated application of these concepts (CD 4). The exegesis describes the broader context of this project and examines the relevant music theory concepts. It uses analysis of transcriptions to show the specific application of techniques. The key outcomes from this research are (i) the development and (ii) the demonstration of techniques for pitch organisation based on serialism and chord stranding that are appropriate for jazz improvisation. The recordings and exegesis show the successful integration of these techniques with existing melodic and harmonic ideas familiar to jazz musicians. It is argued that the approach to jazz improvisation explored within this research represents a novel and radical reinterpretation of the traditional concept of serialism and that this approach is helpful when considering the effective use of serialism in a jazz context. From a broader perspective, this research offers a case study of an improviser grappling with the challenges of synthesis and stylistic integrity and, as such, it has the potential to inform contemporary debates concerning tradition and innovation within jazz. / v. 1 Exegesis -- v. 2 CD Recordings: CD1. Serialism concept development ; CD2. Chord stranding concept development ; CD3. Chris Martin Trio play A love supreme ; CD4. Triptych, 1+1=1 / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1341787 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Elder Conservatorium of Music, 2008

Despite a widely held view that serialism is incompatible with jazz improvisation, there are many instances of jazz musicians successfully engaging with this concept. This conflict seems likely to have arisen from differing interpretations of ‘serialism’; however, the question of how a jazz improviser’s approach to serialism might, or perhaps should, differ from a classical composer’s, has been left unasked. In addition, most attempts at the use of serialism within improvisation remain undocumented by the musicians concerned. The chord stranding techniques of Lutoslawski are less well known and less controversial than serialism. Connections between Lutoslawski’s twelve-note chords and traditional twelve-note rows are obvious, as are connections between the concept of harmonic ‘strands’ and the jazz harmonic device of superimposition. The possibilities for use of Lutoslawski’s ideas within a jazz context are interesting and worthy of consideration. This research project involves the composition and performance of jazz pieces applying serialism and chord stranding, as well as the exploration of precedents for these ideas within the jazz tradition. The four CD recordings within this thesis present the initial development of these concepts (CDs 1 and 2); an exploration of serialism in the music of John Coltrane (CD 3); and an album of original material demonstrating the integrated application of these concepts (CD 4). The exegesis describes the broader context of this project and examines the relevant music theory concepts. It uses analysis of transcriptions to show the specific application of techniques. The key outcomes from this research are (i) the development and (ii) the demonstration of techniques for pitch organisation based on serialism and chord stranding that are appropriate for jazz improvisation. The recordings and exegesis show the successful integration of these techniques with existing melodic and harmonic ideas familiar to jazz musicians. It is argued that the approach to jazz improvisation explored within this research represents a novel and radical reinterpretation of the traditional concept of serialism and that this approach is helpful when considering the effective use of serialism in a jazz context. From a broader perspective, this research offers a case study of an improviser grappling with the challenges of synthesis and stylistic integrity and, as such, it has the potential to inform contemporary debates concerning tradition and innovation within jazz. / v. 1 Exegesis -- v. 2 CD Recordings: CD1. Serialism concept development ; CD2. Chord stranding concept development ; CD3. Chris Martin Trio play A love supreme ; CD4. Triptych, 1+1=1 / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1341787 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Elder Conservatorium of Music, 2008

The purpose of this study is to investigate the theoretical causes of the stylistic results of both compositions and spontaneous improvisations of jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk. The specific topics chosen for analysis include Klangfarben (sound colors), rhythmic displacement (the relocation or complete removal of expected rhythmic events), and economy of means (the judicious use of silence, simplicity, and economy). All of the above topics are addressed with regard to the composer's original works, his selected renditions of works by other composers, and his improvisations. The musical examples appear in transcription form, as some of them are unpublished. The topics are introduced in the first chapter, and individually addressed in subsequent chapters.

Woody Shaw is one of the most influential jazz trumpet players of the past fifty years. Despite his importance, very few models exist that contextualize Shaw's improvisatory approach inside modern jazz pedagogy. Writers such as Rex Richardson, Eric O'Donnell, and Gavin Franklin have identified key elements of Shaw's style, and have begun a critical examination of Shaw's music. While extensive, these approaches do not take into consideration the impact free jazz had on Shaw's technique, nor do they provide a model for how to duplicate Shaw's style. This project examines four elements of Shaw's style as seen in three improvised solos on "The Moontrane." These solos are taken from early, middle, and late stages of Shaw's career. By studying scale choice, sequence and the sequential treatment of motifs, pentatonic approaches to harmonic sequence, and atypical rhythmic phrasing, this study is able to show (1) how these elements developed over the totality of Shaw's career, (2) provide a better understanding of Shaw's improvisational style, and (3) provide a basis for implementing these procedures in modern music.