urn:uuid:d04064ba-280e-7080-aff2-fe8e2e8abe2d RUcore Syndication System, v1.0 Copyright 2018, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3N018FH Taylor, Chad E. 2018-05-07T20:15:00-04:00

Henry Threadgill has led many innovative bands over the years. His current band, Zooid, represents a culmination of decades of his musical process as a composer. Although Threadgill’s music has been praised and applauded, his compositional process has been an enigma. ! This thesis will closely examine Henry Threadgill’s evolving techniques as a composer and examine how his music exemplifies a jazz tradition that challenges the paradigm of jazz being simply a genre of music. Jazz is also a process. It is a synthesis of elements from many different cultures. Threadgill’s music incorporates musical concepts that come from Europe, Africa, India, Cuba and elsewhere. In addition, with Threadgill’s Zooid music, form itself becomes a process of investigation and experimentation. ! By examining Threadgill’s intervallic language, his use of modular form and perception of metric rhythm, my goal is to help grow appreciation for one of America’s jazz masters.