Abstract

This study aims to compare movies with distinct characteristics that utilize jazz to grasp the usage patterns of jazz in film music and to investigate the cinematic approach to the jazz genre in contemporary Hollywood films. For this research, Terence Blanchard's Malcolm X(1992), John Williams' Catch Me If You Can(2002), and Justin Hurwitz's La La Land(2016) were selected and researched; the conclusion was as follows. First, trumpeter Terence Blanchard faithfully served the cinematic function by utilizing jazz, a pillar of Black music. Second, Traditional Hollywood film composer John Williams fused symphonic sound with the jazz genre. Third, Justin Hurwitz crafted music by embracing the characteristics of the musical film. The music had a close relationship with the film's narrative structure and played a significant role throughout the film. As comparative analysis based on the research findings, the diverse cinematic approaches to the jazz genre were influenced by the film's structure and the composer's musical inclinations. According to this, distinctions appeared in the underscore, source music, and cinematic function of music depending on the film. However, they also coexisted with common elements, such as classical music's foundations and leitmotif techniques.

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