Scholar

“One of my great passions is learning and sharing the music of other cultures and times.
Experiencing these musics can enrich us musically as well as personally.“

~ Jimmy Kachulis

 

Jimmy’s fascination with the musical and cultural materials from many of the world's  cultures led to his studies in Ethnomusicology.
He’s been fortunate to study with many of the leading scholars in their fields, as well as discovering new aspects of those musics.

 
 

Ethnomusicology

Tufts University - Boston, MA. Masters Thesis: Studies in Ewe Music documents discoveries in two previously unknown aspects of Sub-Saharan West African music:
• Polyphonic Harmony of the Ewe
• Bell Improvisation of the Ewe

Lecture/Demos on the following topics:

• Multi Dimensional Percussion Rhythms of Sub-Saharan African Music
• Multi Dimensional Rhythmic Conceptions of Sub-Saharan West African Songs
• Harmony and Polyphony of the Ewe of Ghana
• Shona Mbira Music of Zimbabwe
• Pygmy Music of the Central African Rain Forest
• African Diaspora Music of Three Continents
• Classical Indian Music Rhythmic Conceptions
• Classical Indian Music Scales and Ragas
• Balkan Folk Musics

Scholarly Papers and Texts Presented

• International and National meetings of the Society for Ethnomusicology.
• Studies in Ewe Music is used as a text in graduate level courses at Tufts University and Brown University

 

Notable Quotes on Scholarly Research

"I understand, and totally agree with, your discoveries and analyses of Ewe and other West Coast, Sub-Saharan musics."
J.H. Kwabena Nketia (Legendary Ghanaian ethnomusicologist, author Music of Africa)


"You understand the Harmony and Bell improvisation of our Ewe music more than anyone I know."
Godwin Agbeli (Master Drummer, Choreographer, Dir. Sankofa Ewe Drum and Dance Ensemble - Ghana)


"You cracked the code of Ewe Polyphonic Harmony singing."
David Locke Phd (Chair, Tufts University Department of Music)


"You have great understanding of the music of the Pygmies."
Simha Arom (Legendary ethnomusicologist, author African Polyphony and Polyrhythm, producer Music of the Babenzele-Pygmies)


"I was absolutely blown away by your lecture demo on the Music of the Pygmies of the Central African Rain Forest."
Dr William Banfield Phd (Director Africana Studies - Berklee College of Music, Scholar, Composer)

 

Awards

• NEA - Jazz Study Grants - George Coleman, Allan Hanlon (seven string guitar), World Music Cultures
• Faculty Grants for Individual Study (Gamelan, Ewe Improvisation, Kayal Vocal/Instrumental, Maqams, Tabla) - Berklee College of Music
 

STUDIES

• Tufts University, Masters of Art in Ethnomusicology and Composition - David Locke, John MacDonald
• Hunter College, CUNY Bachelor in Music Education - cum laude - Louise Talma, Private Studies - Jazz
• George Coleman - (Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, Max Roach) Jazz improvisation, composition, arranging, and ear training
• Frank Foster - (Count Basie, Elvin Jones) Jazz composition and arranging
• Dan Sebesky - Jazz arranging for horns and strings
• West African: Godwin Agbeli - Ewe choral polyphony and drumming
• Indonesian: Evan Ziporyn - Balinese gamelan (funded in part by Berklee College of Music Faculty Development Grants)
• North Indian Classical Hindustani - George Ruckert - (Director Ali Akbar Kahn School) Hindustani Instrumental; Jerry Leake - Tabla Drums; Warren Senders - Khyal style vocal