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What is "Jazz Theory" Today? Its Cultural Dynamics and Conceptualization

Goecke, Norman Michael
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1438-719X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1395668797

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, African-American and African Studies.
This thesis examines the complex sociocultural dynamics that surround the concept of jazz theory from two broad perspectives: formalized or academic jazz theory, which emerged as a result of the formal institutionalization of jazz in the academy, and organic or intrinsic jazz theory, which first arose from African American music-making practices. This dichotomy does not suggest that the majority of jazz community members exist at the extremes of either of these two poles. Contrarily, most musicians tend to occupy the grey area somewhere in between. The aim of this study was to shed light on the complex and elusive intersection between formalized and organic approaches to jazz theory. Through an analysis of informal, formal, and virtual (internet-based) jazz music-learning environments, the results offer a thick description of the way in which notions of "jazz theory" affected the social lives of musicians, fostered racialized jazz identities, defined community boundaries, and influenced music-making practices. The paper includes a variety of case studies, such as Miles Davis' experience studying music at Julliard, an analysis of the first methodological theory books published for jazz students and educators, online forums where jazz students discuss music theory, and ethnographic data related to modern day jazz theory that I collected from nonacademic and academic jazz learning environments. Two theory-related books examined included George Russell's Lydian Chromatic Concept and David Baker's Jazz Pedagogy: A Comprehensive Method of Jazz Education for Teacher and Student. In both, the cultural contexts in which the works were created and how many students and educators misinterpreted or omitted elements that reflect the tabooed subject of race were considered. The study also relied on original ethnographic content collected during a field study at a Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop, a racially charged debate between two Aebersold camp attendees, a meeting with saxophonist Ornette Coleman, an interview with a 51-year-old African American jazz drummer and organic jazz theorist named Willie Smart, and a reflection on my experiences with an autodidactic African American saxophonist from Cincinnati, Ohio named Chuck Young. Overall, the paper elucidates the racialized and transcultural nature of the jazz community's music-learning environments, and examines the role in which jazz theory plays within them. Academic jazz educators may use insights from this essay to create curricula that include an increased cultural and racial competency as well as a greater awareness of approaches to jazz that are traditionally excluded. Jazz musicians, music historians, and jazz fans may benefit from the analysis of jazz theory as a social process.
William McDaniel, PhD (Advisor)
Ryan Skinner, PhD (Committee Member)
Horace Newsum , DA (Committee Member)
181 p.
African American Studies; African Americans; Music; Music Education
jazz; jazz theory; jazz education; music education; African American Studies; African American and African Studies; African American culture; Jamey Aebersold; David Baker; black music; jazz pedagogy; Miles Davis; Jack Teagarden; Ornette Coleman

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Goecke, N. M. (2014). What is "Jazz Theory" Today? Its Cultural Dynamics and Conceptualization [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1395668797

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Goecke, Norman. What is "Jazz Theory" Today? Its Cultural Dynamics and Conceptualization. 2014. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1395668797.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Goecke, Norman. "What is "Jazz Theory" Today? Its Cultural Dynamics and Conceptualization." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1395668797

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1395668797
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.