Jazz & Valencian Folk Fusion

Jazz & Valencian Folk Fusion

Abstract

This project investigates the integration of Valencian folk music and contemporary jazz through the composition, arrangement, and production of an original five-track EP. While the fusion of jazz with other regional traditions, particularly flamenco, has become a well-established field of artistic practice, Valencian musical heritage remains relatively unexplored within contemporary jazz contexts. The project aims to address this gap by developing a compositional approach that combines traditional Valencian rhythmic structures, melodies, poetry, and instrumentation with the harmonic and improvisational language of contemporary jazz. The research is based on an initial ethnomusicological study of Valencian traditional music, focusing on rhythmic patterns, asymmetric meters, and the concept of vares as described by authors such as Jordi Reig and the group Al Tall. These materials were subsequently explored through a practice-based research methodology, in which composition, rehearsal, performance, and reflection formed the main methods of investigation. The creative process resulted in the development of four original compositions that apply different strategies for combining traditional and contemporary musical elements. The results suggest that Valencian folk materials can be successfully adapted to contemporary jazz contexts while maintaining their cultural identity. The project demonstrates the potential of modal harmony, rhythmic transformation, improvisation, and hybrid instrumentation to generate new forms of musical expression. Furthermore, it proposes a practical framework for integrating Valencian traditional music into contemporary creative practices. Beyond the production of an original EP, this work contributes to the ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation, demonstrating how Valencian musical heritage can be reinterpreted through contemporary compositional practices. Furthermore, it explores the possibilities of a hybrid large chamber ensemble in which traditional instruments and jazz musicians operate within a shared musical framework. Ultimately, the project seeks not only to develop a personal artistic voice, but also to propose a model for the structural integration of Valencian folk traditions into contemporary jazz performance and composition.

Publication Date

7-1-2026

Campus

Valencia (Spain) Campus

Keywords

Valencian folk music; Contemporary jazz; Practice-based research; Musical composition; Ethnomusicology

Jazz & Valencian Folk Fusion

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