So I'm curious, how many of you would identify Oscar Peterson as a bebop artist?
He was a great pianists. A great Jazz pianists. Bebop? That's what they called what Bird and Dizzy did that changed the direction of Jazz. Demonstrated and opened everyone's eyes as to how Jazz could be played. An example of what was possible. It became the pervasive influence.
As Jelly Roll Morton said, "Jazz is a way of playing music." Not so sure about all the labels. Think of Miles and 'Kind of Blue'. Don't exactly bring to mind Bird and Dizzy.
Also, as The Frogman once pointed out, Louis Armstrong called Bebop "Chinese" music. :) I am sure he had Bird, Dizzy and maybe Monk in mind.
Peterson was not known as a Jazz composer or innovator, he just played other folks music mo better than anyone else could. I put Peterson and Gene Harris together right up with the all time greats on piano. Their music is ALWAYS very enjoyable to hear, and you can't say that about many.
Cheers