ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author explains how the empathic comes to play an important role in the way empathic researcher view performance, and jazz performance in particular. She develops an argument about the way in which certain fundamental tropes used to describe jazz coincide with many of the qualities empathic researcher ascribe to empathy. This argument forms part of the basis for the understanding of empathy. The author discusses how empathic researcher view empathy in performance by using a recent example of a filmed performance by the group Snarky Puppy. She also explores one of the critical relationships framed on screen, between bassist Michael League, and drummer Larnell Lewis. League is well-known as the leader of Snarky Puppy, a charismatic individual who through sheer force of will managed to bring the band to global prominence without the support of a major record company.
