A Harmonic Analysis of Saxophonist Ralph Moore Found Through Common Characteristics In Four Solo Transcriptions of Jazz Standards From 1991-1998

Saxophonist Ralph Moore has performed with jazz luminaries such as Horace Silver, Roy Haynes, Freddie Hubbard, and J.J. Johnson, maintained a national television presence for fifteen years as a member of The Tonight Show Band, and has been a performing and recorded jazz artist for over thirty years. Even with this experience, Moore has not received the credit due his accomplishments. This research details the life and music of Ralph Moore and analyzes his harmonic vocabulary through four solo transcriptions of jazz standards. Chapter one gives a brief biography of Moore and why he was chosen as the topic of this research. Chapter two provides the methodology of analysis and definition of terms, which will be used throughout the document. Chapter three contains four complete solo transcriptions, transcribed by the author, along with a detailed harmonic analysis of each transcription. Chapter four identifies common characteristics of Moore’s improvisations identified in the four provided transcriptions. The appendix includes annotated transcriptions, an interview with the author, and discography in which Moore has appeared as a leader and sideman