Impro-visor in need of maintainer

[rytmisk]

Hi
I do not know if this is the right forum, but there is a fantastic software that is in need of someone to take it over. The amazing Impro-visor that was made by professor Bob Keller who tragically passed away 2019 is abandoned at the moment. It still works but for how long. I use it both for my jazz-practice, for composing and for auto-accompaniment - and I suggest it to my students (I work as a music teacher educator).

https://github.com/Impro-Visor/Impro-Visor
https://www.cs.hmc.edu/~keller/jazz/improvisor/
I know this is a long shot, but it would be such a waste if this amazing life work were forgotten and useless.
Ketil

[j_e_f_f_g]

Just as an aside, if you come to the point that impro-visor no longer works in your setup, you should be aware that there are linux alternatives, for example, my own BackupBand program. See my tagline.

[rytmisk]

You are right - there are some programs in the "band-in-a-box" line of software. Besides your software that is great, we also have https://www.jjazzlab.com and the good old MMA.
These are not useful for the big strength of Impro-visor though - the algorithms that generate improvisations in the styles of different soloists in jazz. Another thing that makes Impro-visor perfect for me is that I can generate a quick and dirty leadsheet and hear how it sounds before exproting it to Musescore to share with my band mates.

All the best!
Ketil

[j_e_f_f_g]

I'm going to make a suggestion.

I think you should consider picking up a book on C/C++ programming, and take over the project yourself. I was a musician long before I became a programmer. And a surprising number of my musician friends also do programming. Musicians seem to pick it up readily. All of us really enjoy it, and most of us got into it by taking up a music software project that we thought was in need of our efforts. You may find yourself in the same position if you give it try. Plus you'll have guaranteed support for literally a lifetime.

[tseaver]

@rytmisk

The amazing Impro-visor that was made by professor Bob Keller who tragically passed away 2019 is abandoned at the moment.

Thanks for that information, and RIP Bob Keller: his work is indeed worthy of ongoing support. Perhaps you might be able to trace one or more of the graduate students who contributed to Impro-visor over the years, and (re)build a development community around the software. Even if they can't continue to contribute, they might be willing to mentor new contributors.

IIRC, Impro-Visor is implemented in Java, not C / C++.

Also FWIW: Bob's faculty page at Harvey Mudd https://www.cs.hmc.edu/~keller/ states that he died in September, 2020.

[rytmisk]

Thanks for all suggestions!
I traced one of the previous students who had no plans or possibilities to take this on.
I cross my fingers that someone will find this interesting enough - and has the java-coding skills.

All the best!
Ketil