The History of Jazz Music as Viewed Through its Piano Tradition

2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K00160
• Research Institution: Waseda University
• Principal Investigator: モラスキー マイク 早稲田大学, 国際学術院, 教授 (80585406)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Jazz / Music history / Piano

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

I was on sabbatical during the 2020-2021 academic year. My original research plan during that time included three research trips to archives in the United States, with the aim of collecting material needed to complete the second volume of my book manuscript, The History of Jazz As Viewed Through Its Piano Traditions (written and scheduled to be published in Japanese). Unfortunately, the Covid pandemic prevented all travel to the U.S., and I have therefore had to modify my plans substantially. Needless to say, this past year has hardly provided an ideal research environment, but I have nonetheless completed drafts for approximately one-half of the remaining volume (第二巻で約１５万字を執筆済み). I am hoping that it will be possible to travel safely to the U.S. archives during the coming year.

Current Status of Research Progress

3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.

Reason

As noted above, the pandemic prevented me from undertaking three planned research trips to archives and libraries in the U.S. I have therefore been forced to significantly modify my research plans and to work with materials already acquired or with materials ordered from the U.S.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

I am hoping that it will be possible to conduct at least two research trips to the U.S. during the 2021-2022 AY, but given the uncertain status of the pandemic (and, as of yet, the lack of vaccine availability in Japan), it remains to be seen whether that will be possible. In any case, I have continued to work on the second volume, and I intend to finish a draft of the entire second volume by March 2022. Invariably, the book will not be informed by as thorough a body of archival research as originally planned, but I remain hopeful that I will be able to produce a book that is deemed valuable by both scholars and general readers interested in the history of jazz.

Causes of Carryover

Due to the inability to travel to archives in the U.S. during the first year of this three-year project, I have carried over most of the funding planned for that year with the hope that I will be able to use it toward travel to overseas archives during the 2021-2022 academic year.