Abstract
This article addresses the phenomenon of improvisational creativity, taking jazz performance as a prominent example within American culture. A series of interviews were conducted with professional jazz musicians. The interviews focused on creativity and jazz improvisation. Five salient characteristics of jazz improvisation, which distinguish it from compositional creativity, were identified in the interviews. Improvisation and composition are compared and discussed within the context of current creativity theory. Given that most creativity theory has focused on compositional forms of creativity, the analysis of improvisational performance could provide a new perspective on the creative process.

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