Text

theses

In jazz’s nearly 120-year history, there are individuals recognized by a majority of scholars and fanatics for what they have contributed to the music’s development. Champions of jazz and its many forms include Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Ornette Coleman. However, there is a plethora of original artists whose work and influence remain relatively unacknowledged. In this work I will focus on the life and music of Kenny Wheeler, who is among jazz’s hidden geniuses. Kenny Wheeler was an imaginative composer, arranger, trumpeter and flugelhornist who incorporated traditional and avant-garde jazz styles as well as Western art music influences into his work. Wheeler was born in Toronto, Canada, but spent most of his formative years in St. Catharines. At age 22 he moved to London where he would quickly begin working with local bands. Wheeler had a long, prolific career in which he experimented with many different musical styles and took part in hundreds of recordings. Wheeler continued working until shortly before his death at 84 years old in 2014. As a leader and a sideman, Wheeler would work with some of the music’s legendary figures including: Woody Herman, Paul Gonslaves, Philly Joe Jones, Keith Jarrett, Jan Garbarek, Clark Terry, and Michael Brecker; he would also form more significant and lasting musical relationships with the likes of Johnny Dankworth, Evan Parker, John Stevens, Mike Westbrook, John Taylor, Norma Winstone, Dave Holland, Anthony Braxton, Globe Unity Orchestra, Lee Konitz, John Abercrombie, Stan Sulzmann, John Parricelli, Chris Laurence, Martin France, and countless others. The primary focus is Wheeler’s life story. However, his musical influences and artistic style are discussed throughout, as well as his most seminal records as a sideman and leader. For those who are not familiar with Kenny Wheeler’s music, this thesis highlights some of his most important work, and should provide a starting place to explore his vast output. For longtime fans and Wheeler neophytes alike, this thesis provides a look into the life and personality of one of the most original voices in jazz since the 1970s.

ETD_7289

M.A.

Includes bibliographical references

by Andrew Vogel

doi:10.7282/T39S1T8Q

ETD graduate

The author owns the copyright to this work.