A bit of exciting news that I received last week. I will be a presenter at the Leeds International Jazz Educator’s Conference. The conference is at the Leeds School of Music in Leeds, England and will take place from March 21st through the 22nd. My topic is titled “Jazz Guitarist Charlie Christian’s Influence on Wes Montgomery’s Improvisational Style: Using Imitation to Develop Innovation.”
The abstract is as follows:
Much of guitarist Wes Montgomery’s study of jazz improvisation came from imitating Charlie Christian’s guitar solos. But despite Montgomery’s dedication to Charlie Christian’s solos to better learn jazz improvisation, Montgomery was able to emerge with his own singular and influential voice in jazz. The purpose of this paper is to identify and examine significant improvisational traits that Wes Montgomery developed as a direct result of his imitation and assimilation of Charlie Christian’s guitar solos. A major emphasis will be investigating the musical traditions in Christian’s playing that were absorbed into Montgomery’s playing and how Montgomery was able to use these traits to foster new musical traditions. The study also examines the relationship imitation has with creativity in jazz and how originality is influenced by the past. It will also examine how students can use imitation as Montgomery did in developing an original voice of their own.
The paper examines the two guitarists’ use of five harmonic and melodic devices over dominant harmonies: scales, arpeggios, use of chromatic pitches, formulas and enclosures, and harmonic substitutions. The study begins by focusing on how Montgomery’s melodic and harmonic treatment of dominant harmonies has been influenced by his imitation and assimilation of Christian’s improvisations. The next step will be examining of how Montgomery differentiated himself from Christian. The final portion will be given to identifying the significance of these differences and how these differences are connected to Montgomery’s originality and innovation as a jazz guitarist.
This is my first trip across the pond as they say and will making some time to see the sights. A “Beatles Walking Tour” is already booked for while staying in London. I am extremely excited to not only be a part of this wonderful conference, but also to able to see and experience England for the first time.