How jazz syntax is theorized, and how it is filtered through various pedagogical frames for dissemination to increasingly sophisticated students, is evolving at an impressive rate. There is now a sizable body of literature on jazz theory and analysis, and at least three “generations” of card-carrying music theorists drawing upon and extending the rigorous work that has taken place since the 197...

Quality assessment of jazz improvisation is a multi-faceted, high-level cognitive task routinely performed by educators in university jazz programs and other discriminating music listeners. In this pilot study, we present a novel dataset of 88 MIDI jazz piano improvisations with ratings of creativity, technical proficiency, and aesthetic appeal provided by four jazz experts, and we detail the d...

From early jazz to current sub-styles, the key component, improvisation, is thought to also be important to the coaching process. Improvisation in jazz can be conceptually linked to the dynamic, interactional relationships such as those found in coaching. Using jazz history, this conceptual paper investigates how jazz improvisation may inform coaches and coachees in individual, group, or organi...

In this paper, we propose a new method suitable for the automatic analysis of microtiming played by drummers in jazz recordings. Specifically, we aim to estimate the drummers’ swing ratio in excerpts of jazz recordings taken from the Weimar Jazz Database. A first approach is based on automatic detection of ride cymbal (RC) onsets and evaluation of relative time intervals between them. However, ...

This paper explores the relationships between jazz and the development of information systems. Similarities are drawn between music in general and information systems development methodologies and jazz is taken as a specific focus. The idea of music as an information system in its own right is outlined. As systems development methodologies move from formal approaches towards more ad hoc forms, ...

Over-expression of the dystrophin-related gene utrophin represents a promising therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The strategy is based on the ability of utrophin to functionally replace defective dystrophin. We developed the artificial zinc finger transcription factor "Jazz" that up-regulates both the human and mouse utrophin promoter. We observed a significant recover...

The absence of the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin results in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The utrophin protein is the best candidate for dystrophin replacement in DMD patients. To obtain therapeutic levels of utrophin expression in dystrophic muscle, we developed an alternative strategy based on the use of artificial zinc finger transcription factors (ZF ATFs). The ZF ATF 'Jazz' was rece...

Previous computational models of jazz improvisation typically employ algorithms designed to “think” like an improvising jazz musician, each offering distinct advantages and disadvantages. Creating a model that successfully produces jazz improvisation would (1) offer insights into a unique cognitive expertise, (2) elucidate more general creative processes and, (3) create algorithms that require ...

We at Rutgers have a special interest in jazz performer identification. Rutgers is the home of the Institute for Jazz Studies, which houses one of the largest collection of jazz sound recordings. Automated performer identification would be an important tool for the curators of the collection. Our focus, therefore, has been on the identification of jazz instrumentalists, specifically jazz trumpe...

BACKGROUND Above-average levels of psychopathology have been demonstrated convincingly in groups of outstanding individuals working in the arts. Currently, jazz musicians have not been studied in this regard. AIMS To investigate any evidence of psychopathology in a group of eminent jazz musicians. METHOD Biographical material relating to 40 eminent American modern jazz musicians was reviewe...