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dc.contributor.advisorGailey, Dan
dc.contributor.advisorHaaheim, Bryan K
dc.contributor.authorMacKinnon, Charles Andrew
dc.date.accessioned2019-09-06T22:17:58Z
dc.date.available2019-09-06T22:17:58Z
dc.date.issued2019-05-31
dc.date.submitted2019
dc.identifier.otherhttp://dissertations.umi.com/ku:16393
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1808/29587
dc.description.abstractThis analysis and discussion of Truth Seeker Jazz Suite should aid the listener in understanding its intent and construction. Truth Seeker Jazz Suite could be considered simply as a musical war protest that transmits a social message. But more than that, it is quasi-autobiographical as well. Similar in the way that Hector Berlioz depicted his love and sadness for not having (early on) been able to win the affections of Irish actress Harriet Smithson in his Symphony Fantastique, Truth Seeker will musically depict my own quest to filter through the mass of information that we consume in hopes of discovering truth and meaning in times of continued war and violence. It is my hope that listeners would allow the work’s programmatic elements to help them realize their own personal endeavors toward deeper truth and understanding of our world. This piece is written for large jazz ensemble including 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, 4 trumpets doubling on flugelhorn, 3 tenor trombones, bass trombone, guitar, piano, bass, and drums. This instrumentation places this work in the larger lineage of Duke Ellington, Benny Moten, Count Basie, and Thad Jones, reflecting the quintessential American sound. Since the loose program of this piece reflects my American experience of becoming more socially aware, the modern big band offers the most flexibility in expressing different Afro-centric, blues, and rock grooves that will be required to tell this American tale. As I was born in 1968, the sound and notion of the modern concept album, comprised of interrelated tracks, captured my ear. John Coltrane’s suite for jazz quartet, A Love Supreme, and many of his albums have a continuity in programming where songs, grooves, and tempos balance each other perfectly to create a journey for the listener. In addition to jazz influences, rock icons like Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles have also left an indelible mark on modern music. While my main influence is jazz music of the 1940s onward, rock music through hip hop has filtered into my ear and settled into my own sub-consciousness. I feel that in the effort to write modern music, it is natural to work within contemporary musical esthetics and attempt to push their boundaries. This piece does not focus on recreating the great swing music of the past jazz masters but instead builds on those traditions and is a culmination of my influences. This three-movement modern jazz suite depicts my musical reactions to why governments resort to violence, which I vehemently oppose. The musical depictions of my discoveries will reflect the gamut of emotions including: confusion, anger, pride, strength, weakness, beauty, agony, etc. While other jazz musicians have written more overt protest pieces than this, this suite attempts to communicate a serious social message through abstract music. There is no formal program and there are no words aside from the titles. However, I would be honored if my work would be considered in that lineage of any artist of similar pursuits. Sonny Rollins’ Freedom Suite, and Charles Mingus’ New Tijuana Moods, Remember Rockefeller at Attica, and Fables of Faubus were all inspirations for this piece. In addition, music from the vast jazz canon helped me to believe that instrumental music has the power to convey real meaning. As Rollins and Mingus railed against the offensive civil rights issues of their day, I too am deeply concerned with political issues of violence and inequality and I strive to spark an increased social awareness in others through my music.
dc.format.extent36 pages
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniversity of Kansas
dc.rightsCopyright held by the author.
dc.subjectMusical composition
dc.subjectMusic theory
dc.subjectMusic
dc.subjectBig Band
dc.subjectChuck MacKinnon
dc.subjectDMA Composition
dc.subjectJazz Composition
dc.subjectJazz Suite
dc.subjectTruth Seeker
dc.titleTruth Seeker Jazz Suite for Big Band
dc.typeDissertation
dc.contributor.cmtememberGailey, Dan
dc.contributor.cmtememberHaaheim, Bryan K
dc.contributor.cmtememberLaird, Paul
dc.contributor.cmtememberOtto, Matt
dc.contributor.cmtememberTucker, Sherrie
dc.thesis.degreeDisciplineMusic
dc.thesis.degreeLevelD.M.A.
dc.identifier.orcidhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1142-8881
dc.rights.accessrightsopenAccess


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