Forbidden triads and creative success in jazz: the Miles Davis factor

Area of Science:

• Social Network Analysis
• Creativity Studies
• Musicology

Background:

• Traditional network analysis often overlooks "forbidden triads"—open triads with high-weight edges.
• These structures have been considered a residual category, with their potential for innovation underestimated.
• Understanding network structures is crucial for predicting success in collaborative and creative domains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of forbidden triads in predicting success within creative fields.
• To analyze the prevalence and impact of forbidden triads in the history of recorded jazz.
• To determine if forbidden triads contribute to the success of musical recording sessions.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of collaboration data from the entire history of recorded jazz (1896–2010).
• Quantification of forbidden triads within jazz session networks.
• Correlation of forbidden triad density with session success, measured by record releases.

Main Results:

• Observed jazz collaborations showed a greater tolerance for the openness of high-weight triads than expected.
• Jazz sessions exhibited a higher frequency of forbidden triads than predicted by chance.
• The density of forbidden triads significantly contributed to the success of recording sessions.

Conclusions:

• Forbidden triads are critical structures for fostering innovation by enabling novel combinations of styles.
• The presence of forbidden triads positively impacts the success of creative endeavors, as demonstrated in jazz.
• Miles Davis's recording sessions, in particular, benefited significantly from the influence of forbidden triads.