University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Melodic rhythms, intervals, and harmony in selected works of Jerry Bergonzi

Nichols, Benjamin Edward

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/106991

Description

Title
Melodic rhythms, intervals, and harmony in selected works of Jerry Bergonzi
Author(s)
Nichols, Benjamin Edward
Issue Date
2020
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
McNeill, Charles
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
McNeill, Charles
Committee Member(s)
  • Richtmeyer, Debra
  • Stephens, Chip
  • Tipei, Sever
Department of Study
School of Music
Discipline
Music
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
A.Mus.D. (doctoral)
Keyword(s)
  • rhythm
  • interval
  • harmony
  • Bergonzi
  • composition
  • arrangement
  • reharmonization
  • contrafact
Language
en
Abstract
Jerry Bergonzi (1947- ) is a late-twentieth and twenty-first century jazz saxophonist and composer, often associated with the 1970’s New York Loft Scene. This paper discusses methods Bergonzi uses to write original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards. Through the use of specific rhythmic, intervallic, and harmonic shapes, Bergonzi uses techniques inspired by John Coltrane, Olivier Messiaen, and Arnold Schoenberg. Bergonzi’s compositions “It’s the Same,” “Philapino,” “Ryvim with Ding,” “Awake,” “Do It to Do It,” “Ellwood,” “New in the Neighborhood,” “Czarology,” “Cadiz,” and Bergonzi’s arrangements of “Night and Day,” “I Love You,” “Solar,” and “Stella by Starlight” are studied. Through formal analysis this project gives insight into Bergonzi’s compositional and arranging methods used in the selected pieces. The compositional and arranging talents of Bergonzi have not been studied on the same scholarly level as his improvisations. In the transcription book, Jerry Bergonzi Solos: Setting Standards, Miles Osland gives a little background information about a few of Bergonzi’s compositions. Jamey Aebersold published a play-a-long book and CD featuring some of Bergonzi’s music. Matthew Olson analyzes the harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic language of Bergonzi’s improvisational style in his dissertation: “Self Expression in the Present Tense: An Examination of the Unique Elements of Jerry Bergonzi’s Improvisational Style.” Though these sources contain various Bergonzi compositions, they primarily focus on improvisation. In 2013, Jeff Ellwood put many of Bergonzi’s compositions and arrangements into music notation software and published them online. These lead sheets are a valuable resource, but the music has not been thoroughly analyzed or explained. This paper supplies research that will answer two questions: What are Bergonzi’s compositional techniques? What makes his compositions and arrangements compelling and unique? These questions are not answered with the current scholarship on Jerry Bergonzi. Through a thorough analysis I have uncovered elements that make Bergonzi’s compositional and arranging styles innovative, unique, and compelling.
Type of Resource
  • text
  • still image
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/106991
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2020 Benjamin Edward Nichols

Owning Collections

Doctoral Project Theses [Option 2] - Music PRIMARY