An Analysis Of Five Compositions Representing The Fusion Of Jazz, World, and Latin American Rhythms

The purpose of this Thesis Recital, documented on the accompanying compact disc, was to merge the influences of American Jazz, World Music, and Latin American idioms into a program of five original arrangements for six-piece band. Each arrangement combines a modern approach to jazz harmony and melody with world percussion rhythms and instruments. Rhythms from different parts of the world are integrated, creating a special, completely innovative blend. The instrumentation I have chosen—together with the stylistic contributions of the individual performers— create a sound, and timbre that combines influences from Rock, Jazz, Latin, and World music. The instrumentation consists of electric guitar, trumpet, piano/keyboard, electric/acoustic bass, percussion, and drums/percussion. The following pages will analyze each piece, with special attention to the mixture of musical elements that create this unique style of arranging, composition, and performance. An appendix provides scores of my five arrangements