Tipping points: a saxophone led investigation into three continua

This portfolio contains seven musical projects which explore various permutations of three continua: improvisation to composition, acoustic to technologized, and the ‘in’ to ‘out’. As a saxophonist, composer, and collaborator, I investigate the continua with various techniques and approaches, aiming to create contrasting contemporary jazz albums free of stylistic restrictions. The albums explore the improvisation to composition continua via pieces that a) are freely improvised; b) contain written material used as a basis for improvisation; and c) transition between improvisation and composition in various ways. Aiming to enhance and augment acoustic saxophone performance, I explore various techniques for working with technology. Additionally, the commentary documents the overall use of technology including techniques utilised by my collaborators. The ‘in’ to ‘out’ continuum is investigated via a range of melodic, rhythmic, and time-feel approaches. The resulting vocabulary is applied throughout the projects in different ways. The projects include two Roller Trio albums (Fracture and New Devices) and a film soundtrack (Promise/Threat), two quartet projects (The Earthworm’s Eye View and Ikigai), a saxophone and piano duet (Pebbles), and a collection of solo saxophone and electronics pieces (Solo). The commentary includes context, general techniques, processes, and detailed analyses of three contrasting pieces. The portfolio demonstrates one of the infinite outcomes the continua can inspire and is an example of how a vocabulary made up of the set of techniques can be applied across different contexts.