An Analysis of the Improvisational Style of Jazz Organist Jimmy Smith through Selected Right Hand Transcriptions
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
First Statement of Responsibility
Sample, T. W.
Subsequent Statement of Responsibility
Briody, Steve
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Five Towns College
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
2019
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item
182
DISSERTATION (THESIS) NOTE
Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree
D.M.A.
Body granting the degree
Five Towns College
Text preceding or following the note
2019
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
Jimmy Smith popularized the emergence of jazz organ in 1956. Smith and his unique and dynamic playing style brought a relatively obscure instrument to prominence and influenced many genres of music and musicians. Through transcription and analysis, this dissertation identifies reoccurring improvisational devices of the legendary jazz organist. The findings reveal several of Smith's improvisational tendencies and techniques with regard to sequences, chromatic approach tones, signature blues phrases, repetition, chromatic ♭3-5 phrases, multiple descending target tones, as well as others. Additionally, this study presents five original transcriptions from the Blue Note label ("The Champ," "Caravan," "Ready 'N Able," "Sweet Georgia Brown," and "A Night in Tunisia") in which these techniques were observed.