Jazztheorie der Kommunikation (Jazz Theory of Communication)

Workshop
»Gibberish, the Universal Language«
Stephen Nachmanovitch, musician, Charlottesville, VA/USA

Symposium
Prof. Dr. Simone Mahrenholz, University of Manitoba
Mathias Maschat, University of Osnabrück
Prof. Dr. Dieter Mersch, University of Potsdam
Max C. Oestersötebier, University of Münster
Prof. Mini Schulz, State University of Music and the Performing Arts Stuttgart
Dr. David P. Schweikard, University of Münster

Concert
»Half Cloud, Half Plain«
Duo Chris Heenan/Michael Vorfeld, Berlin

Despite the big number of recent modern communication theories, the core of our thinking about language still depends on a paradigm that stems back from the beginnings of communication technology: the telegraph. Just like the telegraph sends information as immaterial codes through a channel to a recipient, man communicates by transmitting immaterial contents via verbal and nonverbal communication. However, communication processes follow more complex methods and are subject to the ability to adopt to the rhythm, the style, and the movement of a dialog.

The model of an improvising jazz band enables us to approach the basic element of this rhythmic-dynamic dimension. By conceiving communication processes as a performative interaction between action and reaction, the unplanned choreography of a dialog as well as its developing atmosphere and mood get into the center of the examination. Additionally, the bodily level of the voice, the gesture, and the facial expressions are themselves seen as part of the language game. Therefore, the »Jazz Theory of Communication« is more than a well sounding metaphor – it is the philosophy of language of a new paradigm.

The two-day event »Jazztheorie der Kommunikation« wants to capture the possibilities of this approach in an interdisciplinary manner and by using different formats:

As a prelude, the musician, composer, and author Stephen Nachmanovitch invites the audience to an interactive workshop, in which techniques of improvisation will be tested – musical instruments are welcome.

On the next day, the speakers oft he symposium will respond to questions about patterns in jazz communication – concerning both the playing and improvising in different band formations as well as the musician’s way of life. Moreover, they will discuss the possibility of breaking the regularities in cases of different creative-musical processes. Besides jazz, the rhythmic-tonal communication in the contemporary improvisation and in the area of new music will be taken into account.

Finally, the improvisation musicians Chris Heenan (contrabass-clarinet, alto saxophone) and Michael Vorfeld (percussions, self built string instruments) will give a concert, in which the complex sound world of the duo can be heard.

PROGRAM
Thursday, June 28 2012, 8:00 pm

OPENING by Jean-Baptiste Joly, Director of the Akademie

WORKSHOP »GIBBERISH, THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE«
Stephen Nachmanovitch

Friday, June 29, 2012, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

10:00 am
INTRODUCTION
Fabian Goppelsröder

10:30 am
COMMON GROUND. WIE ETABLIERT MAN GEMEINSAMKEITEN IN DER JAZZKOMMUNIKATION?
»Die Kommunikation in der klassischen Musik und im Jazz im Diskurs«, Mini Schulz
»Gemeinsam improvisieren«, David P. Schweikard
»Kommunikation und Koordination in zeitgenössischer Improvisation«, Mathias Maschat

1:30 pm
Lunch break

3:00 pm
CREATIVITY. ABOUT RULES AND BREAKINGS OF RULES IN JAZZ COMMUNICATION.
»Interaktionen des Jazz als Subversion verbal-diskursiver Kommunikationslogik«, Simone Mahrenholz
»Sonntags in New Orleans: 250 Jahre Jazzkommunikation«, Max C. Oestersötebier
»Einsatz und Flow. Präsenz, Koordination und Responsivität als Prinzipien der Kommunikation«, Dieter Mersch

6:30 pm
Dinner

8:00 pm
CONCERT »HALF CLOUD, HALF PLAIN«
Duo Chris Heenan/Michael Vorfeld

Event in the framework of the art, science &business program in cooperation with the DFG Research Training Group »Sichtbarkeit und Sichtbarmachung« (Visibility and Visualization) at the University of Potsdam
Initiated by Dr. Fabian Goppelsröder, University of Potsdam

Registration
Conference fee, catering inclusive, for the whole event: 25 euro/15 euro (students). The visit of single parts of the event is possible.

Application appreciated until June 18, 2012 with: ls@akademie-solitude.de, +49 (0)711-99619 134 (Lisa Schreiber).