The development of the Australian jazz real book

This study outlines a research project, which involved developing an Australian Jazz Real Book (AJRB). The research question guiding this study is: How is an Australian Jazz Real Book developed? A mixed methods approach was used in responding to the research question and incorporates survey, Real Book analysis and key informant interviews to create an insider-led work-based research project. Data was obtained through "a survey and Real Book analysis; from this a draft AJRB was produced. I embarked on a composition collection process, " accepting submissions from composers and attempting to locate compositions that were identified in the survey. The draft AJRB was used for comment and criticism by key informants in a series of interviews. Key Informants of education, performance, curriculum development and Australian jazz history were identified to represent a wide cross-section of the Australian jazz community. These people have 'insider' knowledge of the history and development of Australian jazz. . This study involved the development of the Australian Jazz Real Book. This research is important, as the AJRB has the potential to be a culturally and educationally significant resource as well as a useful tool for practicing musicians and educators in Australia. The AJRB is a resource, particularly relevant in tertiary music education communities. With its availability, it provides curriculum designers the opportunity to integrate previously unavailable Australian jazz. The AJRB was developed according to the results gained from the web survey. Key informant interviews provided greater insights and detail that were refined into the draft AJRB. Whilst this study did not encompass the implementation of the AJRB, its development has gone a long way towards addressing the aims of making Australian jazz compositions available, encouraging greater awareness of Australian jazz, and developing a useful resource for practicing and performing musicians.