At the Outset: An Exploration of Jazz and The Music Video

This project centers around the creation of an original jazz composition and music video for the purpose of filling the gap in visual media used to promote jazz music. The history of music in film is briefly explored, as well as the history of jazz in film and music videos. Jazz is found to have been intertwined with film from the first widely available sound films, but the connection has since dwindled, with only a few modern jazz compositions having widely available music videos. An original jazz tune, “At the Outset,” was created for this project. The details of the planning and composition are described, with the tune featuring modern jazz influences and centering around individual improvisation. The planning and creation of a music video for the tune are also detailed. Practical processes, such as storyboarding, audio recording, and filming, are discussed. A link to the final video product is included, along with storyboards and a full score for the composition. Thematic and structural considerations in the planning of the music video are discussed in detail. The video is meant to follow the structure of a typical jazz tune, with each musical event accompanied by a new setting in the film. Costumes and imagery are discussed, with design that reflects the improvisatory nature of the music. Future research regarding the effectiveness and marketability of the music video in jazz is also discussed.