South African Jazz Big Band: Methodological approaches from selected composers, arrangers and directors

Buitendag, Murray

South African Jazz Big Band: Methodological approaches from selected composers, arrangers and directors

Thesis / Dissertation

2025

Publisher

University of Cape town

Department

College of Music

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

The purpose of this creative research project is to document the processes of directing a jazz big band for successful performance within a South African context. The initial research conducted proved fruitful from an international perspective in that several interviews were held and texts were written; however, not much could be said from a South African viewpoint. The wealth of knowledge and experience from some of our leading big band directors has not been archived and this study aims to rectify this vacuum. The main objective was to interview four South African directors, rehearse and perform a composition/arrangement of theirs with the UCT Big Band and to better understand the intricacies of big band direction. No challenges were evident in the overall process, this standing testament to the professionalism of both the University and the interviewees. This study consisted of a number of processes. The first of which was to identify appropriate repertoire that would provide some challenge while also affording ease of access to the musicians involved given the amount of rehearsal time available. It was also important that the repertoire selected showcased South African jazz in the big band idiom to the greatest possible extent and that the composer/arranger is an experienced director available to be interviewed. The second process involved the interviews themselves. This study focused primarily on interviewing the following well-known individuals in the genre: Shannon Mowday, Darryl Andrews, Mike Campbell and Marcus Wyatt. A questionnaire was prepared ahead of time and interviews were conducted in person and online. All interviews were video recorded for archival purposes and used within the documentary portion of this study. The third process involved the rehearsal of the UCT Big Band for performance at the South African College of Music Jazz Festival. This performance was held on 21 September 2023 and was also video recorded for the documentary. Throughout the creative process, my primary aim was to better understand South African jazz big band directing and its role in shaping the musicians for successful performance.

Keywords

Music

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Masters

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