Fingers graze a keyboard, poised to play. A trumpet rises to the lips. Drumsticks perch in the air, ready to fall. The improv begins, and this combo of jazz musicians instantly creates a piece of ...

What we hear as improvisation may be a convergence of three forces: culture, training, and context. Improvisation is widely regarded as an inherent characteristic of jazz, with the exception of a few ...

It’s late at night in a smoky 1950s New York City nightclub, and Bird Parker is onstage. You’re mesmerized by the impossibly brilliant music cascading from his horn as you sip your gin—but what can ...

These four virtues of jazz—tradition, collaboration, improvisation, and transcendence... are also gifts for the larger world outside of jazz... Any jazz aficionado knows the musical virtues of jazz, ...

Pioneered in the 1950s by musicians breaking the rules of jazz and composition, free improvisation is still as difficult – and potentially transcendent – as it ever was. A Guardian documentary takes ...

Father Doran Stambaugh is bringing new life to his Carlsbad parish with “Jazz Evensong”, a unique blend of traditional prayer ...

Jazz & Improvisation have been important to the musical landscape of University of Delaware for decades. Consisting of big bands, combos, academic classes, and private lessons, the Jazz program has ...

How does a freestyle rapper rhyme without rehearsal? How does a jazz improviser shape an instant solo? How do improv comedians wing it under pressure? Creativity is one of our most mysterious and ...