Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2013

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

DMA

College

College of Creative Arts

Department

School of Music

Committee Chair

James Miltenberger

Committee Co-Chair

Peter Amstutz

Committee Member

Mary Ferer

Committee Member

Andrew Kohn

Committee Member

Bernie Schultz.

Abstract

Stride (Harlem piano) is a jazz piano style that flourished from c. 1910 to c. 1940, primarily in New York. Revolving around the four most significant Harlem stride pianist-composers, Luckey Roberts, James P. Johnson, Willie "the Lion" Smith, and Fats Waller, this research document focuses on the history, performance practices, and stylistic characteristics of the genre. Through an extensive study of relevant literature and analysis of select stride compositions and transcriptions including Luckey Roberts' Pork and Beans, James P. Johnson's The Mule Walk, Willie "the Lion" Smith's Cuttin' Out, and Fats Waller's Handful of Keys, this research document investigates the origin, competitive nature, dissemination, and musical traits of the genre. Furthermore, this study illuminates how the competitive nature of this genre led to the development of the first virtuosic jazz piano style -- stride.

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