Cool Jazz & Hard Bop: Key Figures and Defining Sounds
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Understanding Cool Jazz and Hard Bop
Cool Jazz Pioneers
Two important pioneers of Cool Jazz were Miles Davis and Gerry Mulligan.
Early Cool Jazz Influencers
Pianists Lennie Tristano and Dave Brubeck were guiding spirits of the early Cool Jazz movement.
Miles Davis's Birth of the Cool Nonet
Miles Davis’s seminal album Birth of the Cool features the unique instrumentation of a nonet.
Gerry Mulligan's Pianoless Quartet
In 1952, Birth of the Cool veteran Gerry Mulligan organized a successful pianoless quartet in Los Angeles.
The Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) Origins
The Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) began as the rhythm section for Dizzy Gillespie's big band.
Defining Features of Hard Bop
A typical feature of Hard Bop is its borrowing from Gospel and Rhythm & Blues styles.
Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers
For forty years, drummer Art Blakey led the influential band The Jazz Messengers, a revolving conservatory that launched the careers of many eminent soloists.
Horace Silver: Hard Bop Innovator
An important Hard Bop pianist, composer, and bandleader was Horace Silver.
The Tragic End of Clifford Brown's Career
Clifford Brown's promising career tragically ended when he was killed in a car accident at age twenty-five.
Gil Evans: Miles Davis's Key Collaborator
White arranger Gil Evans was an important collaborator of Miles Davis in the 1950s.
The Birdland Incident Involving Miles Davis
The Birdland incident refers to a time when Miles Davis was beaten by a policeman outside Birdland.
Senator Joseph McCarthy and the 1950s
Senator Joseph McCarthy, an imposing "Cold War" political figure, reached the height and nadir of his power during the 1950s.
Key Cities for Hard Bop Musicians
Many Hard Bop era players emerged from cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Another significant combination of cities mentioned includes New York, Chicago, and St. Louis.
West Coast Jazz vs. Bebop
West Coast Jazz tends to be softer and easier to follow than Bebop.
Lennie Tristano's Diverse Musical Inspirations
Cool style teacher and pianist Lennie Tristano's musical inspiration came from artists like Art Tatum, Lester Young, and classical composer J. S. Bach.
Dave Brubeck's Time Out and "Take Five"
Dave Brubeck's iconic Time Out album featured one of the most popular jazz standards in history: "Take Five".