Jazz violin

: myths, identities, and the creative process

Abstract

This project is a practice-based artistic research exploring the nature of jazz violin performance. It uses current literature on jazz performance and improvisation to provide a context where the violin is able to build an improvising practice through jazz. This dissertation will be accompanied by a body of performance works to illustrate various creative conditions that are found in the practice of improvisation. It also seeks to reaffirm and discover new social and creative positions of an improvising violinist, finding the gaps between musical and social positions of a musician. 
The thesis discusses the use of auto-ethnography as a relevant research methodology for artistic research. It will establish the research question ‘why jazz’, through a reflective account of improvising violin practice. The discussion of what a jazz tradition is and the effect of jazz education is essential to establish creative practices for developing a jazz violin aesthetic. It includes documenting observations and participating at jazz violin workshops, seminars, personal interviews with leading practitioners, and opinions of my collaborators and ensemble members. This project will focus on three case studies while using other performances to enhance and support my observations and analysis. The social implications of the creative process, in particular, gender and racial stereotypes, are also discussed through the use of auto-ethnography. 
The portfolio will include several recordings with various ensembles I have worked with or projects I have participated in. It demonstrates the application of improvisation in various musical contexts and the necessity for creative variety as a jazz violinist. It also demonstrates the benefits of classical technique in advancing an improvisatory style. The multiplicity of genres reflects the fractured identity of an improvising violinist, highlighting the research process which is about negotiating different and occasionally, contrasting positions of a practitioner-researcher. Additionally, the application of auto-ethnography to both practice and research reflects the dynamic nature of the creative process.

Date of Award	1 Sept 2019
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	King's College London
Supervisor	Andy Fry (Supervisor) & Frederick Moehn (Supervisor)