The International Network for Artistic Research in Jazz (INARJ) and Royal
Birmingham Conservatoire invite expressions of interest from potential contributors to an online artistic jazz research symposium to be held on 18-22 January 2021. The
aim of the symposium is to facilitate dialogue between artistic jazz researchers
worldwide with a view to further consolidating and expanding a global research
network. Contributors will be asked to prepare and submit a 10-15 minute video
presentation of an aspect of their research that in some way addresses the four
points listed below, which are some of the main talking points that the group has
been discussing so far. Video submissions will be scheduled for broadcast over the
course of the symposium, and chaired breakout sessions will allow for interactive
discussion between participants.
At the present time it is our hope to be able to combine an element of physical
hosting at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (GBR), University of Stavanger (NOR),
Monash University (AUS) and Jam Music Lab Private University for Jazz and Popular
Music (AUT) to complement the online sessions. However, this will be contingent on
the continuing COVID 19 situation. Additionally we would like to extend the invitation
to other institutions to act as virtual symposium hubs.
Conference paper discussion points:
1) Research of vs. research with. Is there/should there be a distinction between
using practice as a vehicle to articulate/disseminate research findings where the
research output is a performance or similar, and more traditional research methods
that disseminate knowledge generated by practice where the output is
transcription/text that describes performance? In the case of the latter, what is the
distinction between this and more traditional forms of musicology?
2) Demonstrating ‘rigour’ in improvised music. To what extent is it possible to
demonstrate – and consequently assess – the rigour of research that uses
improvisation as a central component?
3) Knowledge exchange via improvised music practice. If we are to align
ourselves with the broader field of jazz studies, might it be necessary to find ways of
better communicating the knowledge gained from artistic research? What might those modes of communication be?
4) Value/application of knowledge to the wider research community. How can
we better ensure rigour and mediating between artistic research and the potentially
subjective nature of artistic practice and improvisation practice?
Please submit a written abstract (c.150 words) outlining the proposed submissions
by 9th November 2020. Please send by email to michael.fletcher@bcu.ac.uk.
Successful applicants will be notified by the 1st December 2020 and invited to
prepare and submit a pre-recorded audio or video presentation by 1st January
2021.
The International Network for Artistic Research in Jazz – Mission Statement
• Establish a formalised network of artistic researchers in jazz
• Host an annual meeting
• Open dialogue on the state of artistic research in jazz internationally
• Increase visibility of artistic research in jazz as an independent sub-discipline
INARJ website: http://www.artisticjazzresearch.com
Conference website: http://www.jprbirmingham.com/blog/inarj-conference-2021/
Conference steering group:
Andrew Bain – Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Petter Frost-Fadnes – University of Stavanger
Mike Fletcher – Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Michael Kahr – University of Music and Performing
Arts Graz / Jam Music Lab Privat University for Jazz and Popular Music
Vienna
Corey Mwamba – Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Conference committee:
Patrick Avery (Royal College of Music)
Rob Burke (Monash University)
Alexander Douglas (NHS Research & Development NW)
Monika Herzig (Indiana University)
Jasna Jovicevic (Singidunum University Belgrade)
Visa-Pekka Mertanen (University of the Arts Helsinki Sibelius Academy)
Emiliano Sampaio (University of Music and Performing Arts Graz)
Chris Stover (Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University)
Tom Williams (Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, Surrey)
Wolf-Georg Zaddach (Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar)
Per Zanussi (University of Stavanger)
International Network for Artistic Research in Jazz 