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The Evolution of Modern Jazz


Shadorne's thread "Outstanding Examples of Musicianship" inspired me to begin this thread. While Shadorne stated that all genre's were welcome, I felt that me and another jazz aficionado were beginning to dominate that thread. Shadorne is a "Rocker", bless his heart. This community functions best when like minded people engage in common dialogue.

The title explains this thread. We will use "youtube" the same as in Shardone's thread to illustrate our examples, and now I begin.

In the beginning, there was Charlie "Bird" Parker, and he said "Let there Be Bop" and thus it began. While walking down the street, Bird ran into John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, who had similar ideas, so they "Bopped" down the street together; Bird on alto sax and Diz on trumpet. My first illustration of this new music is "Bloomdido" with Bird and Diz. We should cover "Be Bop" in depth before we go to the next phase of this evolution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MCGweQ8Oso&NR=1
orpheus10
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Although modern jazz began with "Be Bop", I've seen almost no post's on that genre; therefore, I feel we should move to the next phase of this evolution, "Hard Bop". While those posting probably didn't think of their post in terms of the genre "Hard Bop", that was the genre they were posting in. We think in terms of the title and the artist; not the genre. When I give you an example of Hard Bop, you will be able to submit examples of your own.

My first example is "Somthin Else". This is the title tune of one of the most popular jazz albums ever. It features artists you are familiar with. Click on this link and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzlvrrVPUKw

My next example is "Moanin", by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. Audiophile's I've met had this one in their collection even when jazz wasn't their main thing. The individuals in this group went on to form their own groups.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKXsnDvILmI

Although this one is not an example of "Hard Bop", it is one of my favorites. The very same musicians on this tune sometime play Hard Bop together, but not this time. Most "Goners" are quite familiar with all of the musicians on this tune. I give you "On Green Dolphin Street", by Miles Davis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrVnm66joQk&playnext=1&list=PL1476240CD1A95E38
grimace
624 posts
 
I wouldn't go so far as to say that Bird created bebop/modern all by himself. Bird was a great leap forward, but he was certainly not the only guy playing. Music is a continuum: Louis influenced Roy Eldridge, who influenced Dizzy and Miles, etc. Then you've got people like Coleman Hawkins who spanned the whole period starting in the swing era and then moving up with the times. Your explanation suggests Bird popped out of the ground fully formed. Not so. Great idea for a thread though. Not enough good jazz conversations on here.
inna
7,296 posts
 
And Coltrane showed everyone how saxophone can be played. So did Miles with trumpet. Sorry if I jumped ahead quickly.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

This is a "music" forum. Now, thanks to "youtube", we can use music to illustrate what ever it is we are trying to say about music. For example: I think John Coltrane "Blue Trane" is one of the best "jams" from the Hard Bop genre, and to prove my point; I invite you to click on "Blue Trane" by John Coltrane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpZHUVjQydI
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Grimmace, you made valid statements in regard to the origination of modern jazz; however, we've moved on to the next phase, which is "Hard Bop". There is much that can be debated in regard to the origination of jazz. The confusion arises when jazz and "modern jazz" are not seperated.

If you began a thread designed to discus the origination of jazz, I would certainly engage and participate.
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