Hi Keith,

I’ve attached a couple of lines from my transcription of Hank Mobley’s solo on “Tribute to Someone” (on Herbie’s first solo record, My Point of View). The phrases appear back to back in his solo…both demonstrate potential to switch collections between melodic minor (over the ii chord) and the octatonic over the V chord. (Although the…[Read more]

Thanks for keeping this conversation going.  I strongly agree with Garrett that it’s up to us white folx to help dismantle white supremacy, which to my mind makes the topic of whiteness all the more crucial in the very-white SMT, particularly sub-disciplines that focus on black music.

If we do decide to invite BIPOC from outside our discipline…[Read more]

Hey Keith,

This makes sense to me. In fact, I was taught to think about the altered scale as half diminished and half whole tone (and thinking about it, Lydian-Dominant would switch the two so it is half whole tone and then half diminished). As for rep, I don’t know how much collection switching you would find, but Kenton’s “City of Glass,” uses…[Read more]

A nice idea, Garrett

I’ll spin my wheels on some readings—perhaps some that aren’t specifically within the realm of jazz theory.

To clarify, my original suggestion admittedly open-ended, and inviting more specific ideas) was really more about the African-American experience of players/composers, rather than from the perspective of jazz theory o…[Read more]

Thanks for your comments, Keith and Marc. I think that they work well together, and perhaps could even be combined with my more modest suggestion of a socialization time. Part of our meeting could be devoted to saying hello and part to the workshop that Marc and Keith suggest. What do you all think?

And to Keith’s question about whether or not it…[Read more]

I’m glad that we’re beginning this discussion and like both suggestions.

I’d like to suggest that we have a session on the critical race concept of “whiteness” and its historical/continuing role jazz studies and jazz theory.  I think it might be a good time to turn the mirror inwards into our sub-discipline.  I’m open to other ideas for our m…[Read more]

Interesting idea, Garrett. Yes, I’m also doubtful that we’ll meet as a society in person this fall. (That’s really too bad, too, as I have some dear friends in St. Paul.)

I have another suggestion, fwiw. It’s not a very specific one, but more of a category within which we could hone something more specific: In the midst of current events and…[Read more]

The deadline for proposals has been extended until 11:59 EST on Sunday, June 14.

Please note – There has not been a decision on whether or not SMT will convene in person in Minneapolis this year. Regardless, this panel discussion WILL happen, either in person, via Zoom, or a hybrid of the two. Please don’t let uncertainties regarding travel stop…[Read more]

Deadline Extended + Additional Info!

The deadline for proposals has been extended until 11:59 EST on Sunday, June 14.

Please note – There has not been a decision on whether or not SMT will convene in person in Minneapolis this year. Regardless, this panel discussion WILL happen, either in person, via Zoom, or a hybrid of the two. Please don’t…[Read more]