Jazz to the Future: Interviews in the field, exploring the role of self-expression in today's jazz

by Ahan Iyer

Overview

Much is known about where jazz came from, evolving from such musical traditions as the blues, ragtime and African syncopation. But where does the desire to play improvisationally originate? Does a person's upbringing and culture impact a professional musician's choices? Ahan Iyer explores this fascinating intersection in Jazz to the Future, diving deep into the origins of musical self-expression to uncover answers to rarely asked questions.

Drawing upon his research into postmaterialism and the global popularity of jazz, published in The Journal of Emerging Investigators, Iyer interviewed eight American musicians from wide-ranging backgrounds to identify the influences that shaped their careers. In doing so he identified common themes, including the importance of early exposure to music, familial support, and the role schools and musical education play, that suggest nothing less than the future of jazz. Iyer's research and conclusions may take us a step closer to preserving one of the most storied and influential music traditions in the world today.

*After tax proceeds of the print book will be donated to the nonprofit organization Asbury Park African-American Music Project (AP-AMP).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798331447595
Publisher:	Barnes & Noble Press
Publication date:	08/04/2024
Pages:	134
Sales rank:	145,992
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.29(d)

About the Author

Ahan Iyer is a researcher in Computational Sociology and currently attends high school in New Jersey. He has published his research on postmaterialism and global jazz popularity in The Journal of Emerging Investigators. Initially a classically trained oboist, Iyer began exploring jazz history and jazz composition for the oboe. He has been volunteering his time with the nonprofit organization Asbury Park African-American Music Project (AP-AMP) to help promote their goals of revitalizing the jazz scene in Asbury Park and increasing awareness of Asbury Park's vibrant jazz history. Apart from his academic interests, Iyer teaches chess and competes at an international level.