Rhythm Changes: Jazz Cultures and European Identities

This project examined the inherited traditions and practices of European jazz cultures in Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom. It was the first collaborative humanities project to explore the complexities of jazz as a transnational practice and its relationship with changing European identities.

The project developed new insights into cultural exchanges and dynamics between different countries, groups and related media. Rhythm Changes was broken into five distinct subprojects that linked directly into the theme of Cultural Dynamics. The project aimed to develop a broader understanding of the relationship between:

• counterpoint
• tradition and myth
• community
• identity

Over a three-year period, Rhythm Changes achieved a significant impact on the field of jazz studies, generating a body of work that has challenged the way in which jazz cultures are represented and understood. The project offered a model for cross-disciplinary working, networking, and knowledge exchange.