Matthew Butterfield

Matthew Butterfield is a Professor of Music and Department Chair at Franklin & Marshall College. He holds a B.A. in Music from Amherst College (1991) and a Ph.D. in Music Theory from the University of Pennsylvania (2000). His research focuses on jazz and blues, particularly the intersection of rhythm, race, and cultural studies. Notable works include analyses of 'swing' rhythm and racial dynamics in American popular music.

Education:

• Ph.D., Music Theory, University of Pennsylvania, 2000
• B.A., Music, Amherst College, 1991

Research Interests: Explores rhythmic qualities like 'swing' through music theory, critical race theory, and ethnographic approaches. Current projects include a book on jazz rhythm and another on jazz/rock adaptations of the blues, emphasizing race in American music.

Teaching: Offers courses such as Pop Music Theory & Performance, Music Theory, and Jazz History. His pedagogy integrates analytical rigor with cultural context.

Publications: Focus on rhythmic analysis, jazz historiography, and interdisciplinary music studies. Recent works address participatory discrepancies in jazz timing and the social dimensions of swing.