University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A Comparative Study of Selected Jazz Piano Solos from Three Pre-Bebop, Bebop, Post-Bop Pianists: Teddy Wilson, Phineas Newborn Jr., And Herbie Hancock

Lewis-Nicol, Leon

This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/128313

Description

Title
A Comparative Study of Selected Jazz Piano Solos from Three Pre-Bebop, Bebop, Post-Bop Pianists: Teddy Wilson, Phineas Newborn Jr., And Herbie Hancock
Author(s)
Lewis-Nicol, Leon
Issue Date
2025
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Gray, Larry
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Gray, Larry
Committee Member(s)
  • Lund, Erik
  • Pugh, Jim
  • Reagan, Maureen
Department of Study
School of Music
Discipline
Music
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
A.Mus.D. (doctoral)
Date of Ingest
2025-05-14T11:23:40-05:00
Keyword(s)
  • Pre-bebop
  • Bebop
  • Post-bebop
  • Teddy Wilson
  • Phineas Newborn Jr
  • Herbie Hancock
  • Jazz piano solos
  • Jazz improvisation
Language
eng
Abstract
Improvisation is a major component of jazz music, and understanding its history and styles gives a more solid foundation and many options for creative direction to the jazz improvisor. This knowledge informs the depth and versatility of one’s improvisational language. This scholarly essay with accompanying lecture recitals hopes to equip jazz pianists and other interested readers with a new perspective on jazz piano improvisation through analysis of selected solos by a representative major jazz pianist from each of three eras (pre-bebop, bebop, and post-bebop). Pianists Teddy Wilson, Phineas Newborn Jr., and Herbie Hancock will be discussed in this essay. These three pianists were chosen for their distinctive artistic voices that highlight the improvisational conventions of their respective eras and the stylistic influences of other prominent figures within those periods. While there are many highly influential and esteemed jazz pianists, this selection proves fruitful for the purposes of this essay.
Type of Resource
text
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2025 Leon Lewis-Nicol

Owning Collections

Doctoral Project Papers [Option 3] - Music PRIMARY