Publication Date

2009-05-14

Availability

Open access

Degree Type

Doctoral Essay

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

Department

Studio Music and Jazz (Music)

Date of Defense

2009-04-16

First Committee Member

Whitney Sidener - Committee Chair

Second Committee Member

Gary Keller - Committee Member

Third Committee Member

Don Coffman - Committee Member

Fourth Committee Member

John Olah - Outside Committee Member

Abstract

Six Ira Sullivan performances were analyzed from studio and live recordings spanning the years 1962 to 1998. Sullivan plays different musical instruments on five of the six selections: trumpet, flute, tenor saxophone, alto saxophone (2 selections), and soprano saxophone. Musical facets considered include phrasing (length/placement), melodic contour, lyricism, harmonic phenomenon, and concept of sound. Common musical threads within Sullivan's improvisations were expected to be found throughout all performances. A call and response dynamic across myriad musical fundamentals such as melody, harmony, and rhythm was found to be present and seems to form a basis for much of Ira Sullivan's improvisations. This and other broad traits common to Sullivan's improvisations are presented herein through analysis.

Keywords

Miami; Multi-instrumentalist; Jazz Improvisation

Download

Share

COinS