Jazz educator travels world to research guitar great
Published on 07 February, 2006
Jazz studies lecturer Glen Hodges (pictured), from CQU's Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music, is travelling the world to research the improvisational style of the late jazz guitar great Jimmy Raney.
Mr Hodges left this week (Feb 6) for 5 weeks visiting Copenhagen (Denmark), New York, Louisvile (Kentucky) and Temple, Dallas and Denton (Texas). The trip is funded by 3 different grants from Macquarie University and CQU.
"I am undertaking a PhD at Macquarie Uni that is quite innovative...known as a creative component PhD," he said.
"My study includes all the regular components that are part of a typical PhD: Literature survey, methodology, data collection, analysis and conclusion ... but also has a creative section as part of the final product (in this case some study compositions and a recording).
"This creative component is a logical outcome of certain types of research in the performing arts in that some research information (both data and conclusions) is best presented in something other than purely written form.".
Mr Hodges has transcribed 25 of Raney's improvisational solos and is now in the process of analyzing them to describe some of his peculiar stylistic idioms.
"The trip will bring me in contact with Jimmy's two sons (one of whom is a jazz guitarist of some note) and a number of players whom performed regularly with Raney," he said.
"These contacts have a wealth of information on Raney's life, career and playing style and many have indicated their pleasure that Raney is gaining more exposure.
"He was listed by 'Down Beat' journal as being one of the 10 most underrated jazz guitarists (a view held by many serious jazz players).
"As part of the trip I have been invited to present a paper at the Louisville Jazz Week. Louisville was Jimmy's home town. I have also been asked to give a few concerts in Texas while I am there.
"Once I have completed the analysis I will use some of the more common idioms to compose and record a set of study compositions that focus on certain aspects of Raney's unique improvisational language."