Minimal Structures Within a Song: An Analysis of “All of Me”

Conversation between Ken Peplowski, who received the most prestigious European award for a jazz recording (Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik, February 1993), and Frank Barrett about the structure of jazz. Jazz improvisation involves creating music on the spot without a prescripted score or plan. However, jazz is guided by a non-negotiable framework that constrains what the soloist can play. This structure provides the necessary backdrop to coordinate action and organize choice of notes.