The Afrological Soul of Jazz Organ

Abstract

This research offers a practitioner’s perspective of jazz performance on the Hammond organ in the areas of history, cultural location, improvisational vocabularies & performance paradigms. George E. Lewis’ Afrological/Eurological ideology provides a framework for understanding the function of the organ in African-American society and its relevance to the chitlin’ circuit. Afrological values are defined, supported by interviews with Lou Donaldson, Ben Dixon, Larry Goldings, Caesar Frazier, Nate Lucas, Radam Schwartz, Don Williams, Michael Cuscuna, Bruce Forman and Bill Heid. Beginning with the progenitors of jazz organ, analysis of detailed original transcriptions document early performance styles on the Hammond organ, revealing an inherent link to big-band arrangements and sonorities. These provide stark contrast to the paradigm shift caused by Jimmy Smith’s application of hard bop and rhythm ’n’ blues styles to the organ in the mid-1950s, which creates a new musical movement within African-American culture. As the central character in this research, Smith’s improvisational vocabulary is codified, exposing unique rhythmic features such as Smithtuplets, melodic features including succedent blues grace notes, and sonic considerations inherent in the Hammond organ such as harmonic foldback. Further supported by interviews with organists Dr. Lonnie Smith, Wil Blades, Mike Flanigin and Jay Denson, Smith’s new performance paradigm is described in terms of groove and creative co-ordination, dispelling some myths regarding the use of bass pedals. Finally, using Afrological values as a guiding principle, Smith’s vocabulary and performance paradigm is converted into a personal pedagogy. This pedagogy is documented using performance videos and transcribed examples, and is further supported by recordings of new original compositions and jazz standards in organ/guitar/drums format. The ePUB version of this thesis is the preferred format for viewing, as it contains many audio/visual elements that are a significant part of your data output and research outcomes. The PDF is provided as an alternate source only where audio/visual playback is not possible.