Lucas DeBard and Payton Gallardo : the great American songbook : an exploration of the music from then by the musicians of now

Abstract

Popular music has been defined by each generation in a different way. The idea of popularity in music is constantly evolving. There is a specific era of music, however, that has defined and impacted the evolution of music in the United States for generations. The Great American Songbook is not an actual songbook, but rather a compilation of music from the era of the early to mid-1900's that has stood the test of time and remained popular. This thesis project is a coordination between the artists and myself to represent some of the music from the Great American Songbook. This creative project is a recording of six songs of the era from a three-piece jazz band and two vocalists. My hope is that the use of single-room recording techniques and creative licensing conveys the sound of the music as it was intended by the original writers, but also revitalizes a sound that has been so defining for generations of American musicians.