Road from Rebetiko: Explorations in the Fusion of Jazz and Traditional Greek Urban Music

Abstract

This project is a research-led hybridity experiment in creative practice, fusing jazz and Greek rebetiko. The thesis explores the history and nature of jazz fusion - or hybridity - with a view to understand its significance for the genre of jazz and to position the rebetiko-jazz fusion experiment within it. The thesis also explores the history and nature of Greek rebetiko music in order to pay homage to its traditions, heritage, and musicians, and to embrace its spirit and learn from its mechanisms for the purpose of hybridity. Finally, the thesis offers an exegesis of creative practice, which describes the inspiration, methods, processes, and outcomes of this rebetiko-jazz fusion experiment, which culminates in twelve original compositions that have been performed and recorded across two albums. I conclude that my creative practice is a glocalised expression of both jazz and rebetiko.