Liturgical jazz: the lineage of the subgenre in the music of Edgar E. Summerlin

This dissertation discusses the lineage of liturgical jazz with a particular focus on Edgar Eugene “Ed” Summerlin (1928-2006). This lineage stretches back into the late 1950s, but has largely been unexplored beyond a select few high-profile artists. I trace the evolution of liturgical jazz from several composers’ earliest attempts to the present day. Although the liturgical jazz movement began in the late 1950s, it was primarily a product of the turbulent 1960s in America. This was a period of great change and exploration not only in jazz but in organized religion as well. A deep and frank discussion emerged as to what liturgical music should and would be allowed to sound like. These decisions at the highest levels of denominations had ramifications that are still being felt today in the churches of America; however, the primary focus of this dissertation is on the formative period of liturgical jazz during the 1960s and early 1970s. These years give a basis for better understanding and appreciating the development and defining features of liturgical jazz. Summerlin is a figure that is often cited as a pioneer in liturgical jazz, but no one has offered a history of his life, his music, or why his liturgical music was so revolutionary. This dissertation gives an extensive history of Summerlin and his music. It also creates a clear timeline of the early formation and evolution of this subgenre of jazz.

Name thesis:degree_name

A.Mus.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Music

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2017

Author dc:creator

• Cordoba, Derick

Contributors dc:contributor

• Solis, Gabriel
• Gray, Lawrence
• Carrillo, Tito
• Lund, Erik

• Liturgical jazz
• Ed Summerlin

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2017 Derick Cordoba

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/97352

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/97352