Creating Originality Through Heritage: A Drummer’s Process Toward Jazz Composition and Artistic Leadership

Ewen Grall

About this exposition

This research investigates how cultural roots and origins can influence the composition process in the creation of original contemporary jazz music. The first section examines the jazz musician’s dilemma of honoring the past while shaping the future and the relationship between « Traditionnal Swing » and «Free and improvised Jazz », includes case studies, as his previous work as a drummer and new composer. The second section wants to explore the reflexion of jazz artists on questions like creation and innovation such as the drummer and composer Antonin Gerbal, in the format of an interview. The next one explores how jazz artist like Paul Motian incorporates their backgrounds into their music and revisit the rôle of instrumentist. Drawing inspiration from their work, It examins Breton heritage as a source for new compositional ideas. Through analysis and practical application, It integrates melodic structures and contemporary techniques, consequently merging traditional Breton elements with improvised music and free jazz language. As such this research highlights the challenges and opportunities of creating a music that bridges past and present, forging a unique voice within contemporary jazz composition.

type	research exposition
keywords	jazz, composition, heritage, leadership
date	02/03/2025
published	14/07/2025
last modified	14/07/2025
status	limited publication
copyright	Ewen Grall 2024
license	CC BY-NC-ND
language	English
url	https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/3197807/3197809
published in	KC Research Portal
portal issue	3. Internal publication

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Creating Originality Through Heritage: A Drummer’s Process Toward Jazz Composition and Artistic Leadership (2025)

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