Axiom [studio recording]
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Non-Traditional Research Output
Original Creative Work
Document Type
Non-Traditional Research Output
Date of Publication
2021
Research Statement
Research Background
Axiom is the third album from the Tom O’Halloran Trio, and represents a sporadic, yet sustained and focused research endeavour over 8 years. It connects aesthetically in part with the ‘modern jazz’ genre, although aims to emphasise more abstract techniques and forms usually found within ‘art music’ spheres. The research was driven by exploiting ‘20th century’ western compositional techniques, towards a wider pallet of ‘jazz’ compositional forms and improvisational texture. The project seeks to align with current innovative jazz artists who generate their music from comparable points of musical reference, such as Vijay Iyer, Paul Grabowsky, Craig Taborn and Jason Moran.
Research Contribution
Several compositional techniques not typically located in jazz composition were used; including ‘Palindrome’ (for ‘Cascade’), ‘Neume’ writing (for ‘Elegy’), Isorhythm (‘Hectic’), Bitonal harmony (‘Shimmer’), Multimeter phrases (‘The Grounding’) and Metric modulation (‘Gears’). ‘Implied time’ as defined by Lippi (2008, in reference to Ari Hoenig), was used to revitalise the jazz standard ‘Conception’. The associated improvisations navigate the forms caused by these techniques, and abstract away from conventional phrasing and structure. Ultimately, these techniques were an advantageous solution towards abstraction and yet homogeneity of the album as a whole, and if repeated by a different artist, would extend practice.
Research Significance
The work was competitively selected to début as part of the 2020 Perth International Jazz Festival, and was performed on the main stage at The Rechabite Hall. This premiere of the work was favourably critically reviewed by Seesaw magazine. The project also attracted an ECU internal research grant. Further reviews and wider dissemination of the album are ongoing. Many of the approaches adopted within the compositions have gone on to form part of approved jazz composition curriculum within HE units at WAAPA.
Publisher
Tom O'Halloran
School
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)
RAS ID
35955
Funders
This project was supported in part by the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) at Edith Cowan University.
Event Title
Festival Montréal/Nouvelles Musiques, Earth Day Art Model
Event Dates
November 8, 2020
Additional Information
Released May 6, 2021.
Tom O’Halloran (piano)
Pete Jeavons (double bass)
Daniel Susnjar (drums)
Compositions and arrangements by Tom O’Halloran.
Conception originally composed by George Shearing, 1950.
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Lee Buddle from Soundmine, Perth, Western Australia, late 2020.
Album Artwork by Ben Waters.
Duration
75 mins
Copyright
subscription content
Comments
O'Halloran, T., Jeavons, P., & Susnjar, D. (2021). Axiom [studio recording]. Perth, Western Australia: Tom O'Halloran.
https://tomohalloran1.bandcamp.com/album/axiom