Elements of jazz drum comping : shaping musical form and dramaturgy

This artistic research project explores jazz drum comping and its vital role in shaping musical form and performance dramaturgy. Blending theory and practice based artistic research, the study examines how a jazz drummer interprets, supports, and interacts with evolving musical structures.

At its core are five key elements of comping—goosing, active accenting, structuring the form, riffing, and intuitive call and response—identified through an in-depth analysis of the playing of Philly Joe Jones in peer-reviewed article Breaking Down Five Core Elements of the Improvised Comping of Philly Joe Jones (2024). These concepts are brought to life through a combination of research and artistic output in four performance-based projects: One for Joe (2022), Textures (2023), Odd Times (2024), and Rainbow Blue (2025).

Drawing on aural analysis, transcription, improvisation, and reflective practice, this work demonstrates how comping is both learned intuitively and applied creatively in performance. Rooted in the Hard Bop tradition of the 1950s yet highly relevant today, the findings offer valuable insight into the drummer's role as an accompanist.

Ultimately, this study positions comping as more than rhythmic support—as an expressive, interpretive, and deeply communicative musical act.