:: What is Jazz? - An Aesthetic Analysis ::

Summer Research '04

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Introduction

The musical genre evolved from a collaboration of influences in the United States, Jazz represents an entire century of musical culture in America. But what establishes the general principles which distinguish Jazz? This study is an analysis of Jazz and its myths/stereotypes as characterized by the musicians and the listeners throughout the 20th century. Jazz, in its many forms, was both a reactant and a catalyst in American culture; in spite of its evolution, it maintains what constitutes its essential substance. In addition to the analysis of Jazz aesthetics in its time period and geographic region, this study will also research these characteristics from the theoretical perspectives of the Jazz vocalist, percussionist, and horn player—the instrumentation of Jazz is most commonly abstracted into these three sections (vocal, rhythm, horn).

2004 McNair Scholar Summer Research