Master Research Presentations JAZZ | Tizaan Alphonso

Описание: THIS TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025 | JAZZ MASTER RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS!

Join live at ROM 17 of the jazz department or follow the live stream on YouTube!    / @conservatoriummaastricht  

During the Q & A you’ll be able to ask your questions in the live chat!

10:30 Aleksandrs Mariničevs
'Structured Approach to Introducing Open Strings in Tonal Jazz Improvisation'

13:00 Tizaan Alphonso
'Finding Your Own Sound'

ABSTRACT:
This research, titled Finding Your Own Sound, explores how one can develop a unique and personal artistic identity by combining elements from Soul, Funk, RnB, and Jazz into accessible yet complex compositions. The research originates from a personal artistic journey, driven by the ambition to move beyond genre boundaries and find a distinctive musical voice.

The methodology combined literature review, analysis of influential works by artists such as Esperanza Spalding, Cory Henry, Quincy Jones, and Michael Mayo, alongside qualitative interviews with professional musicians, and a practical workshop titled The Art of Groove: Finding Your Own Sound. The final and most significant step involved the detailed harmonic, rhythmic, and stylistic analysis of three of my own original compositions from the EP Take it or Leave it (2024): Need Em Blues, Do The Math, and Take it or Leave it, including peer and audience feedback collected during concerts and workshops.

The results show that achieving a balance between complexity and accessibility is possible when carefully combining the harmonic richness of Jazz, the groove and rhythmic focus of Funk, the emotional depth of Soul, and the vocal phrasing typical of RnB. The reflections gathered confirm that the blending of genres not only creates artistic uniqueness but also enhances communicative power with audiences.

Despite challenges, such as time constraints, visa-related limitations, and the sheer complexity of genre analysis, this research ultimately provided valuable insights and actionable methods for developing a recognizable and personal musical identity — answering the main question: How can one find their own sound?