MARIAN Mcpartland, JAZZ PIANIST: an OVERVIEW of a MUSICAL CAREER

MARIAN Mcpartland, JAZZ PIANIST: an OVERVIEW of a MUSICAL CAREER

MARIAN McPARTLAND, JAZZ PIANIST: AN OVERVIEW OF A MUSICAL CAREER By CLARE HANSSON BA (UQ), MFA (QUT) Associate of the Trinity College of London Licentiate of the Trinity College of London A Thesis submitted for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy - 2006 Creative Industries Faculty (Music Discipline) Queensland University of Technology, Australia © Clare Hansson, 2006 KEYWORDS • Marian McPartland (1918 - ) • Marian Page (early stage name) • Margaret Marian Turner (maiden name) • American Jazz History (1946 - 2005) • Biography • Discography • Halcyon Records – Jazz Recording Company • Halcyon Music – Music Publishing Company • Jazz Advocacy • Jazz Analysis • Jazz Broadcasting • Jazz Composition • Jazz Education • Jazz Entrepreneurship • Jazz Journalism • Jazz Performance • Jazz Piano • Jazz Recording • Piano Jazz Radio Program • Web-Based Resource • Women In Jazz i ABSTRACT This, the first study at doctoral level of any white female jazz instrumentalist, provides an overview to the long, active and enduring musical career of British-born, New York-based jazz pianist, Marian McPartland (born 1918). For over six decades, besides being a pianist and a composer, she has been prominent in the professional roles of educator, writer, record producer and recording artist, radio broadcaster and advocate. The scope and impact of this multi-layered career are conveyed through the medium of a Website profiling significant aspects of her professional life through textual, aural and visual presentation. Although not claiming to be exhaustive, this Website brings together a comprehensive collection of data covering all aspects of Marian McPartland’s career. Data have been gathered and collated from material in the public domain, and all such sources are acknowledged and referenced. The Website is navigable through three links at the bottom of the Home Page – 1) Historical Perspective; 2) Selected Analyses; and 3) Marian McPartland In Context. Part One of the Website provides access to Marian McPartland’s various professional roles in jazz, as well as public profiles, and is consolidated by listings of support material. Part Two of the Website contains formal analyses of four of her compositions, each preceded by a short introduction. The analyses are based on scores transcribed from her recorded improvisations. A discussion of her stylistic approach follows the analyses. Part Three of the Website contextualizes Marian McPartland as a woman in jazz during its major historical and stylistic movements. An Introduction and a Conclusion provide the academic framework for this study. The Introduction outlines the rationale for the study, the dimensions of the study, the methodologies used, and the research process. The Conclusion provides critical commentary on Marian McPartland’s musical career, and deductions are made about her significance in and contribution to jazz, based on the evidence presented in the Website. A CD of the entire Website completes the presentation of this thesis, included under Supplementary Material in the back pocket of the thesis. This overview of Marian McPartland’s entire career makes an original contribution to knowledge on this jazz artist, and, in a broader sense, provides an important resource for future research in the area of jazz music and musicians. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page Keywords…………………………………………………………………………i Abstract…………………………………………………….…………………….ii Table of Contents……………………………………………...………………...iii List of Illustrations: Examples: Excerpts of Scores Used for Analysis..................................……...vi Photographs, Art Work……………………………...……………………....viii List of Supplementary Material One CD of Website….………………………………………………….…....xv List of Abbreviations and Acronyms.……………………….…........…...……xvi Statement of Original Authorship ……………………………...…………… xlii Acknowledgments ………………………………………….…………………xliii Introduction and Conclusion to the Thesis ………………………….…..1 – 30 Appendix 1: List of Publications by Clare Hansson Bound Volume and Website This manuscript provides the academic content of the Thesis. The Website on Marian McPartland’s career is presented on CD – launched by double clicking on ‘index.htm’ WEBSITE HOME PAGE Index and Navigation Pages – no page numbering 1. Historical Perspective Meet Marian McPartland: 'That First Fine Careless Rapture' Pianist - 1950s: 'Reigning Jazz Queen Of 52nd Street’ Pianist - 1960s: ‘To Benny And Back’ Pianist - 1970s: ‘All The Things You Are’ Pianist - 1980s: ‘Festivals, Symphony Orchestras, Book - All In Good Time’ Pianist - 1990s: ‘A Lifetime Achievement’ Pianist - 2000+: ‘Sophisticated Lady’ iii TABLE OF CONTENTS continued Title Historical Perspective (cont’d) Educator - 1960s: ‘Jazz Goes To Grade School’ Educator - 1970s: ‘I Was Indignant That Rock Reigned Supreme’ Educator - 1980s+: ‘I Never Thought Of Myself As A Teacher’ Writer 1949 – 2003: 'Penning The Sound Of Jazz’ Recording Artist: Other Labels 1946 – 1969 - ‘Early Recordings’ Recording Artist: 1970+ Founder Of Halcyon Label - 'The Halcyon Years' Recording Artist: 1978 – 2005 - 'The Concord Years' Radio Program: Piano Jazz ‘The First Decade’ Radio Program: Piano Jazz ‘The Second Decade' Radio Program: Piano Jazz ‘The Show Must Go On' Public Profiles: Awards 'Contributions Rewarded' Public Profiles: Reviews ‘A Sense Of Jazz History’ Public Profiles: A Great Day In Harlem - 'Two Ten O'Clocks In One Day?’ Public Profiles: Advocate ‘Everybody Needs Encouragement’ Sources: Compositions: The Process Sources: List Of Sources: Marian McPartland's Writings, Liner Notes by Marian McPartland, References, Internet Articles Sources: Discography: Early Labels, Halcyon, Other, TJA, Concord, NPR, Miscellaneous Sources: Website Music Table File name, CD Title, Title of Sound Sample iv TABLE OF CONTENTS continued Title 2. Selected Analyses: Compositions & Analyses Index and Navigation Pages Composition - #1: ‘Willow Creek’ About ‘Willow Creek’ Formal Analysis Score Composition - #2: ‘Kaleidoscope’ About ‘Kaleidoscope’ Formal Analysis Score Composition - #3: ‘Twilight World’ About ‘Twilight World’ Formal Analysis Score Composition - #4: ‘Threnody’ About ‘Threnody’ Formal Analysis Score A Discussion of Marian McPartland’s Style: ‘I Don’t Really Feel As If I Ever Really Got A Style Of My Own’ 3. Marian McPartland in Context: ‘Marian McPartland In The Context Of Jazz And Women In Jazz In America – 1946 To The Present’ v LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS EXAMPLES: EXCERPTS OF SCORES USED FOR ANALYSIS • Title of Section Example Number Example Title • Formal Analysis: ‘Willow Creek’: Example 1: Bars 10-17 of ‘Willow Creek’ Example 2: Bars 18-25 of ‘Willow Creek’ Example 3: Bars 41-49 of ‘Willow Creek’ Example 4: Bars 1-9 of ‘Willow Creek’ • Formal Analysis: ‘Kaleidoscope’: Example 5: Bars 1-4 of ‘Kaleidoscope’ Example 6: Bars 5-16 of ‘Kaleidoscope’ Example 7: Bars 21-24 of ‘Kaleidoscope’ Example 8: Bars 102-106 of ‘Kaleidoscope’ Example 9: Bars 115-120 of ‘Kaleidoscope’ • Formal Analysis: ‘Twilight World’: Example 10: Bars 11-12 of ‘Twilight World’ Example 11: Bars 13-18 of ‘Twilight World’ Example 12: Bars 27-34 of ‘Twilight World’ Example 13: Bars 34-42 of ‘Twilight World’ Example 14: Bars 11-12 of ‘Twilight World’ Example 15: Bars 54-61 of ‘Twilight World’ Example 16: Bars 71-78 of ‘Twilight World’ vi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS EXAMPLES: EXCERPTS OF SCORES USED FOR ANALYSIS continued • Title of Section Example Number Example Title • Formal Analysis: ‘Threnody’: Example 17: Bars 9-16 of ‘Threnody’ Example 18: Bars 16-20 of ‘Threnody’ Example 19: Bars 21-24 of ‘Threnody ’ Example 20: Bars 41-56 of ‘Threnody’ – Improvised Chorus • A Discussion of Marian McPartland’s Style: Example 21: Main Motif – ‘Willow Creek’ Example 22: Main Motif –‘Twilight World’ Example 23: Main Motifs – ‘Kaleidoscope’ Example 24: Phrase One – ‘Threnody’ Example 25: Phrase Three – ‘Threnody’ vii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PHOTOGRAPHS, ART WORK All photographs reproduced with the permission of Marian McPartland and subject to approval by the copyright holders. • Title of Section Photograph Title • Introduction to the Web Site Home Page Marian McPartland, 1999, outdoor shot for Baldwin Revue, New York, Baldwin Piano Company, vol. 2, no. 3, photographer James Salzano • Banner for Each Web Site Frame Marian McPartland, 1950s, head shot, photo Savoy Jazz Archive • Historical Perspective Main Frame Marian McPartland, 2000, photographer Ronald Heard • Historical Perspective 1918-1949 Meet Marian McPartland 'That First Fine Careless Rapture' Marian And Jimmy McPartland, ca 1945, During World War II, courtesy of the collection of author Max Jones, published in Talking Jazz, 1987, London: Papermac, photographer unnamed • Historical Perspective Pianist - 1950s ‘Reigning Jazz Queen Of 52nd Street’ Marian McPartland, 1950s, At The Hickory House, photo Savoy Jazz Archive viii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PHOTOGRAPHS, ART WORK continued • Title of Section Photograph Title • Historical Perspective Pianist - 1960s ‘To Benny And Back’ Jimmy McPartland and Marian McPartland, photo from Simitar Entertainment Inc CD cover 1998, Jimmy And Marian McPartland: Thanks For Dropping By’, reissue of 1960 Design Compatible Fidelity (Pickwick Communications Inc 1960, 1968), cover photo Marian (Savoy Jazz Archives) Jimmy (photographer unnamed) • Historical Perspective Pianist - 1970s ‘All The Things You Are’ Marian McPartland, 1979, from ‘A Song I Can See’ – Great Women In Jazz, Color Portraits for a Calendar by photographer Barbara Bordnick • Historical Perspective Pianist - 1980s ‘Festivals, Symphony

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