Hi all!
I’ve received requests online to provide my Honours thesis for reading, so I’m finally making it available online.
My thesis titled, Compositional Approaches in the jazz-funk and electro-jazz musical genres, was born out of my interest in different types of jazz fusion and was an attempt to improve my composition skills in fusion styles. To this end I studied works by Herbie Hancock with his jazz-funk Headhunters project, works by Donny McCaslin with his electro-jazz albums such as Casting for Gravity. I drew upon my analyses of compositions from both Hancock and McCaslin and selected musical techniques and devices from the works to include in my own original compositions.
Thanks to everyone who had an interest in my work. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading my thesis!
Abstract
The fusion of other musical genres with jazz has been a part of the jazz tradition since its inception, with early jazz itself being a concoction of influences from the blues, spirituals, work songs and minstrelsy. Despite this, there is a lack of literature that deconstructs and analyses more modern ‘fused’ jazz styles such as ‘jazz-funk’ (a fusion of jazz and funk music) and ‘electro-jazz’ (a fusion of electronic music and jazz). This study attempts to rectify the situation by analysing and deconstructing two ‘jazz fusion’ compositions in order to discover their use of musical devices and compositional techniques. The two compositions are: the jazz-funk tune Chameleon by Herbie Hancock from his 1973 album Head Hunters, and the electro-jazz tune Stadium Jazz by Donny McCaslin from his 2012 album Casting for Gravity. Musical devices and techniques have been selected from both compositions and then used in the creation of two original compositions by the author in order to demonstrate their use outside their original contexts. This study will hopefully be able to serve as a resource for composers and musical practitioners, showcasing some of the compositional and musical insights that can be gained from studying ‘jazz fusion’ music.
