Bebop Jazz

     Since the introduction of jazz in the early 20^th century, it has continuously changed to match the creativity of its artists and social wants. Due to its improvisatory nature and roots in minorities, it is difficult to know its exact origin, but it is believed to have stemmed from west African music traditions. Bebop jazz was introduced in the mid to late 40’s. In Scott DeVcaux’s article The Birth of BeBop he writes that bebop was a “revolution in which the American jazz musician turned from being an entertainer, such as Louis Armstrong or Cab Calloway were in the 1930s, to becoming an avant-garde artist”. Those that are credited with its founding are Charlie “Yardbird” Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell. Characteristics of bebop are a chorus with virtuosic improvisation over a chord progression. Choruses in jazz were common but what made bebop stand out was the difficulty of the improvisation. The chord progression is introduced in the chorus, which was commonly from a precomposed work, and then improved over. Through the complexity of improvisation, bebop artist sought the same praise and recognition as western art music musicians. It was a step towards promoting a tradition and end to racial prejudices over its artists.

Artists Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie are recognized for their contributions to music and then play their hit “Hot House”. “Hot House” was composed by Tadd Dameron over the chord progression to Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love?". The hit highlights improvisation on alto saxophone and trumpet.

Bud Powell is notable jazz pianist. He was classically trained but was inspired by Parker and Gillespie. “Un Poco Loco” was included on the list of the greatest works of twentieth-century American art.

Thelonius Monk was a jazz pianist who had a unique playing style known as “rhythmic displacement” that can be clearly heard in this track.

John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” is one of the most popular songs from this genre. The chord progressions are very quick with extremely complex chords. High lights his skill with the tenor saxophone.

This song, released in 1995, is based on the bebop traditions.

Sources:

The Amazing Bud Powell: Black Genius, Jazz History, and the Challenge of Bebop: Guthrie P. Ramsey Jr.

The Birth of BeBop: Scott DeVcaux’s