Crossing boundaries in improvised music

Although the space for creativity in regard to performance in improvised music is generally assumed to be greater than e.g. in classical music, I would argue it is restricted in many ways. The aim of this research proposal is to examine some major restrictions and to explore possibilities to overcome them.

Using my recently established jazz trio called "Tin Men and the Telephone" as a laboratory I will study possibilities to (1) electronically alter the sound of the acoustic instruments, (2) transgress boundaries between music and environmental sounds including audience behavior by incorporating interactive multimedia (3) develop a didactic plan and basic composition rules. Based on these explorations and the study of similar innovations in contemporary / new media arts I intend to develop new methods for performing improvised music that give greater freedom to the performing artists and broaden the perceptual space of the audience.