Exploring Afro-Cuban Music Through the Lens of A Night in Tunisia
Location
Sydnor Performance Hall, Schewel Hall
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Entry Number
105
Start Date
4-5-2023 10:00 AM
End Date
4-5-2023 10:15 AM
College
Lynchburg College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Music
Keywords
Music, Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Improv, History, Gillespie
Abstract
Although jazz contains many subgenres, Afro-Cuban music remains popular due to its style and history. With the intent of improving music pedagogy and performance, the purpose of this research was to explore the genre of Afro-Cuban music. The particular problems of this study were to (1) provide a historical context of A Night in Tunisia; (2) compare six different jazz versions of A Night in Tunisia; and (3) create an original arrangement of A Night in Tunisia.
Afro-Cuban music, a fusion of Latin and American swing, developed under the influence of Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993) and his work with musicians such as Francisco “Machito” Grillo (1909-1984) and Chano Pozo (1915-1948). Throughout the decades, musicians would add and change Gillespie’s A Night in Tunisia to better reflect their style of music. By utilizing books and other arrangements of A Night in Tunisia, I created an arrangement featuring Latin grooves and a new funk section. Many musicians establish an understanding of music genres as it makes playing and creating music an easier experience.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Cynthia Ramsey
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Exploring Afro-Cuban Music Through the Lens of A Night in Tunisia
Sydnor Performance Hall, Schewel Hall
Although jazz contains many subgenres, Afro-Cuban music remains popular due to its style and history. With the intent of improving music pedagogy and performance, the purpose of this research was to explore the genre of Afro-Cuban music. The particular problems of this study were to (1) provide a historical context of A Night in Tunisia; (2) compare six different jazz versions of A Night in Tunisia; and (3) create an original arrangement of A Night in Tunisia.
Afro-Cuban music, a fusion of Latin and American swing, developed under the influence of Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993) and his work with musicians such as Francisco “Machito” Grillo (1909-1984) and Chano Pozo (1915-1948). Throughout the decades, musicians would add and change Gillespie’s A Night in Tunisia to better reflect their style of music. By utilizing books and other arrangements of A Night in Tunisia, I created an arrangement featuring Latin grooves and a new funk section. Many musicians establish an understanding of music genres as it makes playing and creating music an easier experience.