Pushing the boundaries : digital impacts upon jazz

Abstract

The rapid development of audio technology, particularly in the last fifty years, haschanged the way music is composed, produced, consumed and received. Thedomination of the traditional meta-genres, classical, jazz and folk, is increasinglychallenged by postmodern thinking and new methodologies. Centuries ofdevelopment in techniques, education, culture and practice are in danger of beingrendered obsolete. Changing practices for musicians raise philosophical argumentstouching on the meaning of the musical work, authenticity and genre itself. Thisresearch project is a creative practice-led exercise in applying digital audiotechnology within the restraints of jazz as a genre. Recordings of works includingharmonic, rhythmic and timbral characteristics typical to a broad definition of jazz,have been manipulated digitally with synthesis, looping and sampling. Results haveindicated the importance of the timbral voice in signifying genre but the creativeapplication of harmonic and rhythmic factors can allow new timbres to expressgenerically. The success of the hybrid approach to the music also lies in thedefinitions used to describe the basic comparative criteria, which are themselvescontestable. Philosophical considerations can open space for new timbres, newways to contextualise, and new ways for musicians to interact and improviseagainst the language of genre.

Date of Award	2019
Original language	English