Yes, the concept of the “refrain” in Deleuze and Guattari’s philosophy can be closely related to jazz, both in its structure and improvisational essence. In A Thousand Plateaus, Deleuze and Guattari introduce the idea of the “refrain” (French: ritournelle) as a territorializing force that organizes chaos, yet also opens the potential for creative transformation. Jazz, as a musical and cultural practice, resonates strongly with this idea.
Key Connections Between the Refrain and Jazz
1. The Refrain as Territorialization
• D&G’s Concept: The refrain begins as a stabilizing force. It creates a “home” or territory in chaos, much like a melody or rhythm that anchors a piece of music.
• In Jazz: Refrains appear in the recurring themes or “head” of a jazz composition (e.g., the recognizable melody played at the beginning and end). This establishes a territory or framework within which musicians operate.
• Example: In Miles Davis’s So What, the recurring modal theme serves as a refrain that grounds the piece before musicians explore improvisation.
2. Improvisation as Deterritorialization
• D&G’s Concept: Once a refrain establishes a territory, it can open pathways to deterritorialization—breaking away from the familiar to create something new.
• In Jazz: Jazz is fundamentally about improvisation, where musicians “escape” the established refrain (melody or chord changes) to explore new, spontaneous musical ideas. This aligns with D&G’s notion of breaking free from constraints while still being tethered to an organizing structure.
• Example: John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme begins with a clear refrain but quickly moves into exploratory improvisations, pushing the boundaries of tonal and rhythmic conventions.
3. Assemblage and Collective Creation
• D&G’s Concept: The refrain is part of a broader assemblage, where individual elements interact dynamically to produce a larger whole.
• In Jazz: Jazz ensembles embody this assemblage through the interplay of instruments, with each musician contributing to a collective creation while maintaining individuality. The refrain, often revisited, anchors the group’s exploration.
• Example: In Charles Mingus’s works, like Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, the refrain ties together the ensemble’s improvisations, showcasing the tension between individual expression and collective coherence.
4. Striation and Smooth Space
• D&G’s Concept: The refrain mediates between “striated space” (structured, organized) and “smooth space” (open, fluid, and uncharted).
• In Jazz: The structure of jazz compositions (chord progressions, time signatures) represents striated space, while improvisation represents smooth space, where musicians explore new territories.
• Example: Ornette Coleman’s Free Jazz exemplifies this, moving from structured refrains into completely free improvisation.
5. The Role of the Listener
• D&G’s Concept: The refrain is not only about production but also perception. It organizes the listener’s experience, providing points of recognition and disorientation.
• In Jazz: Jazz refrains offer listeners moments of familiarity amidst improvisational unpredictability, creating a dynamic experience of tension and resolution.
• Example: The cyclical nature of Thelonious Monk’s compositions, like Straight, No Chaser, constantly returns to the refrain, providing a sense of grounding before departing again into improvisation.
6. Cultural and Political Resonances
• D&G’s Concept: The refrain has a political dimension, offering resistance through creation. It can reclaim space, transform it, or challenge dominant systems.
• In Jazz: Jazz has historically been a form of cultural and political resistance, especially in its African American roots. The refrain in jazz often symbolizes both a return to cultural identity and a platform for breaking free from systemic constraints.
• Example: Jazz as a response to social oppression—Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue or Charles Mingus’s Fables of Faubus—reflects this interplay of territorialization and creative resistance.
Conclusion
Jazz and the refrain in Deleuze and Guattari’s philosophy share a dynamic interplay between stability and transformation, order and chaos, striation and smoothness. Jazz embodies the refrain’s potential to establish territories through recurring motifs while simultaneously deterritorializing them through improvisation, creating something entirely new. This makes jazz a living example of the philosophical principles Deleuze and Guattari explore.
